Mil! 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 

C^rig^t %r 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 




-■.■'■...■>■■ : . V*:rv;; ■■■■" .--■/.■■■,■ . i "•■'-■..;',: v~-j>. :' ■■ v?v : .^ ■■, . T -. \. 



- --S^l 



■m 



t*M*^ 



m 



%!^9 



-«s 



>? 



^' v^;7^ 




Virainia ©possums. 



FRIEND^FOE 



FROM 



Field and Forest 



A NATURAL HISTORY 



:m: jl m m jl iv i ^ 



Arranged According to the [Most Approved [Methods of Leading Scientists. 'Devoid of 
Technical Terms and Suited to the Wants of Young People. 



ILLUSTRATED WITH NEARLY THREE HUNDRED SPIRITED 
DRAWINGS BY LEADING ARTISTS. 



TOGETHER WITH 



Eight Full Page Lithographs Printed in Colors. 



Edited by MRS. GRACE TOWNSEND. 

3T0N> 

CHICAGO, PHILADELPHIA, STOCKTON, CAL. 

La. P. MILLER & COMPANY, 



COPYRIGHTED BY 

L. P. MILLER & CO. 
1890. 



Vo 



INTRODUCTORY. 






f^ 



NIMALS possess a sort of fascination for nearly 
all classes of people. Their natural history has 
H£ always been a most instructive subject, and its 
^ popularity increases year after year. It is a 
S^ branch of knowledge which is entertaining at 
[A v ; every age, and it is a favorite study with men 
5gp^ of every race and country, and of every intel- 
lectual capacity. All children delight in hav- 
ing their little tasks associated with pictures of 
animals, and the alphabet is learned all the more 
readily by its being illustrated with spirited 
drawings of household pets and the terrible 
creatures of the woods. The marvels of the 
intelligence of the dog and horse are inexhaust- 
ible sources of delight to young readers ; and there are few greater pleasures than 
those which are felt when living animals, whose descriptions and habits have been 
the subject of instruction and amusement, are seen in some large menagerie or zoo- 
logical garden. On the whole it is probable that few books are so interesting to 
young men and women as those which relate to animals, and it is their study 
which, in the majority of instances, leads to the desire for further knowledge of 
natural history. The young student soon begins to yearn for information 
regarding the manner in which different creatures live; how some breathe air ; 
how others live in water; how it is that some fly, while others crawl; and he 
desires to connect the peculiar construction of animals with their method of life. 
Or he may be content with endeavoring to understand the names of animals, and 
the reasons why they are arranged or classified in a particular manner by scientific 
men. As years roll on, if the interest in natural history has not diminished, the man 




INTRODUCTORY. 



with increasing intelligence and scope of reading, masters the knowledge desired 
in his youth, and has the opportunity, should he care to grasp it, of the highest 
intellectual enjoyment. He can enter into the consideration and discussion of the 
mysterious problems of life ; of its origin ; of the reasons why animals differ ; why 
they are distributed here and there, or limited in their position in the world ; what 
connection there may be among those of the past and of the present, and of the 
relation between the creation and the Creator. 

In whatever direction we turn our eyes, we everywhere meet the varied forms 
of animal life. Earth, air, water are all alike occupied by multitudes of living 
creatures, each fitted especially for the habitation assigned to it by nature. Every 
wood or meadow — nay, every tree or shrub, or tuft of grass — has its inhabitants. 
Even beneath the surface of the ground, numbers of animals may be found ful- 
filling the purposes for which their species were called into existence. Myriads 
of birds dash through the air, supported on their feathered pinions, or solicit our 
attention by the charming songs which they pour forth from their resting places ;. 
while swarms of insects, with still lighter wings, dispute with them the empire of 
the air. The waters, whether salt or fresh, are also filled with living organisms ; 
fishes of many forms and varied colors, and creatures of yet more strange 
appearance, swim silently through their depths, and their shores are covered with 
a profusion of polypes, sponges, star fishes and other animals. 

The study of these varied forms of life should prov^ a fascinating one and it 
is with the hope of rendering it still more attractive, that the editor and publishers 
have undertaken the production of this volume descriptive of animals belonging 
to the great class Mammalia. The book has been prepared with special reference 
to the wants of young readers and those possessing a limited knowledge of natural 
history as a science. To this end, wherever possible, technical and scientific terms 
have been carefully avoided. The division into the natural orders has been ob- 
served, but the many subdivisions have been omitted. It is to be hoped that this 
course, while impairing the book from a scientific standpoint, will yet render the 
text more readable, and at the same time stimulate the desire for a more thorough 
knowledge pertaining to the subjects herein contained. 



IN TROD UCTOR Y. 



THE MAMMALIA. 

The term Mammalia is a name given to all those animals that bring forth their 
young alive and suckle them. They vary greatly in size, shape, appearance, man- 
ner of living and mode of locomotion. Within the class are included the monster 
elephant and the tiny mouse ; the whale living entirely in the water and the bat 
living almost as exclusively in the air above the earth ; the giraffe, with extended 
neck and eyes that command a wide expanse of country, and the mole burying 
itself beneath the earth's surface and with eyes so minute that their existence for 
ages was denied. Yet all these varied forms are constructed on the same general 
plan. In the limbs are tue greatest differences seen. The regular number is four 
and for this reason the class is sometimes called quadrupeds or four-footed animals. 
It must not be forgotten however, that all four-footed creatures do not belong to 
the mammalia. Some reptiles walk on four limbs, while in some of the true mam- 
malia, as in the whale, the hind limbs are only rudimentary in form. The fore 
limbs also vary greatly ; the hand of the ape, the claw of the cat and the hoof of 
the horse may serve as examples. There are other and many very striking 
differences, but these we will leave for the naturalist to explain, the object of this 
book being to give a general rather than a specific description of the animals of 
this class. For the purpose of comparison the mammalia have been divided by 
naturalists into thirteen great orders, these orders have been again subdivided and 
the process of division repeated until like animals have been brought together 
into families ; when their physical structures, natures and habits may be easily 
studied and compared. Beginning with the highest in the scale of animal life (save 
man) the division is as follows: 
Order I. — Quadrumana. Order VIII.— Proboscidea. 

" II. — Chiroptera. 

" III. — Insectivora. 

" IV. — Carnivora. 
V.— Cetacea. 

" VI. — Sirenia. 

" VII.— UXGULATA. 



IX.- 


— Hyracoidea. 


X. 


— RODENTIA. 


XI, 


—Edentata. 


XII, 


— Marsupalia. 


XIII.- 


-MONOTREMATA. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE APES AND MONKEYS. 

The World of Monkeys — General Distribution — General Forms — Degrees of Intelligence — Resemblance to 

Man — Distinction between the Old World and New World Monkeys— General Divisions 24 

CHAPTER II. 

THE MAN-LIKE APES. 

The Gorilla — Where Found— General Description — Modes of Life— Great Strength — Stories of the 

Gorillas as Told by the Explorer DuChaillu 39 

CHAPTER III. 

MAN-SHAPED MONKEYS— Continued. 

The Nschiego Mbouve - Its Nests and Habits — A Specimen Shot — Differences between it and the Gorilla 
— The Koolo Kamba— Meaning of the Name — Discovered by DuChaillu — Its Outward Appearance 
— The Soko — Discovered by Livingstone — The Chimpanzee— In Captivity — Resemblance to Man 
— Traits of Character — General Remarks on the Group — The Orang Utan — Their Nests, Habits, 
Food and Localities — The Intelligence and Habits of the Young 63 

CHAPTER IV. 

MAN-SHAPED MONKEYS— Continued. 

The Siamang— Special Peculiarities — The Gibbon — Where Found — Its Appearance and Habits — TheHoo- 
look — Its Habits in Captivity — The Wooyen Ape — Its General Appearance — The Agile Gibbon — 
Reason of its Name — General Comparison of the Great Apes 71 

CHAPTER V. 
THE DOG-SHAPED MONKEYS. 
General Characteristics of the Old World Monkeys— The Black Crested Monkey— General Characteris- 
tics— The Negro Monkey — Hunted forits P'ur — The Long-Nosed Monkey— Quaint Appearance — 
The Sacred Monkeys — The Hoonuman Monkey — Held in Veneration by the Hindoos — Legends 
about It — The Douc Monkey — Shape and Appearance — The Ceylon Wanderoo— Its Character- 
istics— The Colobos — General Characteristics of the Genus — The Guereza — Un-Monkey-Like 
Appearance — The Guenons — Frequently Seen in Menageries — Their Terror of Snakes — Beauty of 
Their Skins— The Diana Monkey— An Interesting Description — The White-Nosed Monkey — 
The Talapoin— A Pretty Little Creature — The Red Monkey— The Mangabey— Singular Appear- 
ance — The Macaques — The Bhunder — Tales of Their Sagacity— The Moon Monkey — The 

Wanderoo— Habits in Captivitv. 101 

7 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER VI. 

DOG-SHAPED MONKEYS— Continued. 

The Baboons — General Characteristics — The Sacred Baboon — Their Thieving Propensities— Cleverness 
Amounting to Reason — The Chacma — Its Ferocity in Captivity — The Common Baboon— Often 
Found in Captivity — The Mandrill — Brutality of Disposition — The Black Baboon— But Little 
Known of its Habits 120 

CHAPTER VII. 

THE NEW WORLD MONKEYS. 

How Distinguished from Those of the Old World— The Howlers — Their Peculiar Cry — The Caparro — 
The Spider Monkeys— Their Wonderful Agility — The Coaita— Stories Told of Their Intelligence — 
The Capuchins— Their Habits Observed— Their Clever Ways— The Squirrel Monkey— Their 
Affectionate Disposition — The Douroucouli — The Saki— The Marmosets — Gentle Little Crea- 
tures — The Midas Argent atum — Deville's Midas 144 

CHAPTER VIII. 
THE LEMUROIDA. 

Their Distinctive Characteristics— Great Activity — The Diadem Indris— Madagascar its Home The 
Woolly Lemur — General Characteristics — The Ring-Tailed Lemur — A Pretty Creature Often 
Seen in Captivity— The Mongoose Lemur — In Captivity — The Black Lemur— Docile and Affec- 
tionate in Captivity — The Ruffled Lemur — Their Peculiar Cry — The Senegal Galago — Their 
Habits, Homes and Food — The Maholi Galago— A Charming Little Creature- Monteiro's 
Galago— A Very Handsome Animal— The Angwantibo — The Slow Loris — Habits and Method 
of Securing Food — The Slender Loris— Its Droll Look— The Malmag— Curious Superstitions 
Regarding Them — The Aye-Aye— One of the Strangest of Animals 161 

CHAPTER IX. 

WING-HANDED ANIMALS. 

One of ^Esop's Fables — Opinions of the Ancients Regarding the Bats — Their True Position in the Order of 
Animal Life— Interesting Experiments — Food and Habits — The Fruit Eating Bats — Their 
Resorts— The Indian Flying Fox— The Maned Bats— Hammer-Headed Bats— The Insectiv- 
orous Bats— Horseshoe Bats— Diadem Bats— The Lyre Bats— The African Megaderm— 
The Long-Eared Bat— The Barbastelle— The Noctule— The New Zealand Bat— The 
Collared Bat — Blainville's Bat — The Vampire — Some Fallacies Regarding It 182 

CHAPTER X. 

INSECT EATING ANIMALS. 

Functions of the Insect Eaters— Their Peculiarities— The Tana— Low's Ptilocerque— An Elegant 
Creature— The Rhynchocyon— A Very Rare Animal— The Hedgehog— Its Characteristics — Exemp- 
tion from the Effect of Poisons— Habit of Rolling up in Captivity -The Bulau— The Tanrec— 
The Agouti— The West African River Shrew — The Common Mole— Method of Burrowing— 
Its Home Described— The Star Nosed Mole— The Water Shrew 198 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XI. 

FLESH EATING ANIMALS. 

The Carnivora— Natural Divisions — Their Distribution over the Surface of the Globe — General Charac- 
teristics — Relation to Man — Their Forms and Habits — The Cat Family — The Liox — Its Haunts — 
Varieties of the Lion — Its Courage, Speed and Strength — Its Roar — Interesting Stories of Its Life and 
Capture — The Cubs and their Education — The Tiger — Its Color, Size, Distribution, Etc. — Habits of 
the Tiger— How Hunted — Native Superstitions — The Leopard — External Characteristics — The 
Jaguar — Its Fondness for Negroes — The Puma — Method of Hunting the Puma — The Ounce 
— The Clouded Tiger — The Ocelot — The Marbled Tiger Cat — The Jaguarondi — The 
Eyra— The Serval— The Bay Cat — The Domestic Cat - Historical Sketch — Uses of Whiskers 
— Fondness for Poaching — Love of Offspring— The Foster Mother —The Angora Cat — Strange 
Friendships with Birds — The European Lynx— The Canadian Lynx — The Caracal — The 
Cheetah — A Half Domesticated Animal — The Hyenas — External Characteristics — Laughing Pro- 
pensities — Natural Cowardice— The Aard Wolf — The Civet Family — The African Civet — The 
Ichneumon— The Binturong 263 

CHAPTER XII. 

THE DOG FAMILY. 

The Domestic Dog — Its Fidelity and Love — Antiquity of the Dog — Anecdotes about Reason — Instinct, 
Docility, Etc. — The Hare Indian Dog— The Eskimo Dog— The Greenlanders Dependent on Its 
Existence— The Grayhound - The Water Spaniel — The Poodle — The St. Bernard Dog — 
The Newfoundland Dog — His Great Intelligence — The Sheep Dog — The Bloodhound— The 
Setter — The Pointer — The Badger Dog — The Bull Dog— The Mastiff — Pariah Dogs — 
The Dingo — The Indian Wild Dog — The Wolf — Historical Account — Characteristics — Habits 
— Destructiveness— The North American Wolf — The Coyote, or Prairie Wolf — The Jackal 
— The Common Fox — The Arctic Fox 299 

CHAPTER XIII. 
THE BEAR FAMILY. 

Characteristics of the Bear Family — The Brown Bear — Habit of Hibernating — Diet — Moral Character- 
istics— The Black Bear — Superstitions of the Indians Regarding it — The Grizzly Bear — Its Great 
Strength and Ferocity — The Malayan Bear— The Sloth Bear — The Polar Bear — Its Great Size 
— Habits— Method of Hunting — The Raccoon Family — The Raccoon — Its Habit of Washing its 
Food — The Coati — The Panda— The Weasel Family — The Glutton— The Marten — The Sable 
— The Weasel- The Polecat— The Ferret— The Mink— The Ratel — The Badger— The 
Skunk — The Otter — Its Aquatic Habits— The Sea Otter — Its Affinities with the Seals — How 
Hunted 328 

CHAPTER XIV. 
THE AQUATIC OR MARINE CARNIVORA. 

The Walrus - General Appearance — Habits — Intelligence — The Northern Fur Seal — History — Their 
Plome Life in the Pribyloff Islands— The Patagonian Sea Lion —The Falkland Island fur 
Seals— The New Zealand Fur Seal— The Common Seal — The Greenland Seal— The 
Crested Seal — The Elephant Seal 340 



10 CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XV. 

THE WHALES, DUGONG, ETC. 

Characteristics of the Whale — The Sperm Whale— General Description — Methods of Capture — The Pilot 
Whale — The Narwhal — Singular Horn or Tusk — Habits — The Greenland Whale — The Bis- 
can Whale — Whale Hunting— The California Gray Whale— The Dugong — The Manatee... 353 

CHAPTER XVI. 

ELEPHANTS.— CONIES. 

Antiquity of the Elephant — The Indian Elephant— Size — Range — Habits — Modes of Capture — Use as 
Beasts of Burden— White Elephants— The African Elephant— Size of --Ears— Tusks — Habits and 
Haunts —Stories of its Caoture — Fossil Elephants — The Mammoth— Conies , 366 

CHAPTER XVII. 

HOOFED QUADRUPEDS. 

The Horse Family — First Domestic Horses in Europe — Used as Food — The Mustang— Origin of the Mus- 
tang — Mode of Capture — The Arabian Horse - Attachment between Horse and Master — The Race 
Horse — The Trotting Horse — The Draft Horse— The Shetland Pony— The Ass — The 
Mule— Burchell's Zebra — A Beautiful Beast — The Quagga — The Tapir Family — The American 
Tapir — Fondness for Water — Value of Hide — The Malayan Tapir — Similar to the American — The 
Rhinoceros Family— The White Rhinoceros— The Black Rhinoceros— The Keitloa— Hunt- 
ing the Rhinoceros — The Indian Rhinoceros — Hairy Eared Rhinoceros — The Swine Family— 
The Wild Boar -Size and Habits -The Indian Hog— The Domestic Hog— The Wart Hogs— 
The Peccaries — The Hippopotamus — General Appearance, Homes and Habits — Methods of 
Capture 403 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

THE RUMINANTIA. 

Horned Ruminants — Cranial Characteristics — The Hollow Horned Ruminantia — The Sheep and Goat 
Varieties— The Mouflon — The Ammion — The Big Horn Wild Sheep of Barbary — The Goats— 
The Ibex -The Paseng — The Markhoor — The Gazelles — The Springbok — The Saiga — The 
Indian Antelope— The Bush Bucks— The Eland— The Koodoo— The Gnus — The Chamois 
--The Oryx— The Musk Ox — Thr Domestic Ox — Chili.ingham Bull— American Wild Cattle 
- The Bison — The Buffalo — The Yak— Prong Horned Antelope — The Musk Deer — The 
Giraffe — The Deer Tribe — Distinguishing Characteristics — Antlers, their Nature, Growth and Shed- 
ding — The Elk— Appearance and Habits— The Red Deer— The Wapiti— Fierce Fights of the 
Males— The Fallow Deer— The Virginian Deer The Indian Muntjac— The Chinese Ela- 
phure— The Reindeer — The Water Deerlet —The Camels — Their Feet — Stomach — Water 
Cells— The True Camel— Description— Pads of Hardened Skin— Its Endurance — Its Disposition— 
The Bactrian Camel — The Llamas— The Alpaca 463 

CHAPTER XIX. 

THE RODENTS. 

Character of the Order — A Well Defined Group— Food of Rodents — The True Squirrels — Destructive Fea- 
tures— The Red Squirrel — Its Pugnacity— Derivation of its Name — The Black Squirrel — The 
Gray Squirrel — The Taguan— The Flying Squirrels — The Ground Squirrels— Thk Mar- 
mot — The Prairie Dogs— Their Homes and Habits— The Fulgent Anomalure— The Beaver— 



CONTEA T TS. 11 



General Form— Wonderful Sagacity— Their Homes and Method of Building— The Dormouse— The 
Lophiomus — The Rat and Mouse — Ferocity and Fecundity - The Harvest Mouse — Description, 
Habits and Homes— How the Nest is Built — The Florida Rat — The Hamsters— The Muskrat 
— The Lemming— The Mole Rat— The Jerboas— The Jumping Mouse — Character Peculiar to 
Itself - The Degu— The Porcupines — Conversion of Hair into Spines — The Common Porcupines— 
Characteristics— The Tree Porcupines— The Canadian Porcupine— The Chinchilla— The 
Agouti— The Paca— The Dvnomys— The Cavies— The Common Hare — The Rabbit The 
Alpine Pika . . 512 

CHAPTER XX. 

THE EDENTATA— ANIMALS WITHOUT FRONT TEETH. 

The Sloth — Its Discovery — Peculiarities of the Teeth — Habits of the Animal — Manner of Climbing Trees 
— The Collared Sloth— The Ai— Hoffmann's Sloth — The Cape Ant Eater— Appearance of the 
Animal— How it Obtains its Food— The Pangolins— Their Armor— The Great Ant Bear— Its 
Habits and its Food — Where Found — The Two-Toed Ant Eater — Peculiar Characteristics — The 
Armadillos— Different Varieties — The Great Armadillo — A Persevering Animal — The Ball 
Armadillo — A Beautiful Animal — The Pichiciago — General Description 351 

CHAPTER XXI. 

MARSUPIAL OR POUCHED ANIMALS. 

The Great Kangaroo — Strange Peculiarities of this Animal— General Description — The Tree Kan- 
garoo— Characteristics— The Kangaroo Rat— The Wombat— The Koala— The Squirrel- 
Flying Phalanger — Its Power of Flight — Size and General Appearance— The Bandicoot — The 
Dog-Headed Thylancinus — Often Mistaken for one of the Carnivora — The Brush-Tailed 
Phascogale— Its Home and Habits The Opossum — Size and General Description — Long-Spined 
Echidna— Resemblance to Hedgehog and Ant Eater— The Duck-Billed Platypus— Singularity of 
Construction — Homes and Habits=How Captured — The Curious Beak-like Snout 544 




^s^H^ 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Group of Apes, Monkeys and a Lemur 17 

American Monkey, with Prehensile Tail iS 

Foot and Hand of a Monkey 19 

Group of Lemurs 20 

A Catarrhine Monkey 22 

A Platyrrhine Monkey 22 

Monkey with Cheek Pouches 22 

Front View of the Skull of the Gorilla 25 

Female Gorilla and Young 27 

Face of the Gorilla 2S 

Male Gorilla 29 

Palm of the Foot ol Young Gorilla 31 

Back of the Hand of Young Gorilla 31 

Hand Bones of the Gorilla 33 

Shoulder or Blade Bone , 35 

Bones of the Forearm and Arm of the Gorilla (Side 

View) 35 

Skeleton of the Gorilla 37 

The Nschiego Mbouve , 41 

The Koolo-Kamba 43 

A Young Soko 45 

Orang-Utan and Chimpanzees in the Berlin Aqua- 
rium 47 

The Chimpanzee 49 

The Chimpanzee Standing 51 

Young Orang-Utan 55 

A Family of Orang-Utans 57 

Front Face of the Orang 59 

Side Face of the Orang , , . 61 

Group of Siamangs and Gibbons 65 

The Hoolook 67 

The Wooyen Ape - rjg 

The Agile Gibbon 70 

Face of the Black-Crested Monkey 73 

The Negro Monkey 74 

The Long-Nosed Monkey 75 

The Hoonuman Monkey 77 

The Douc. ... , 7g 

The Wanderoo So 



The Colobos 81 

The Guereza 83 

Face of the Diana Monkey 87 

White-Nosed Monkey 89 

The Green and Red Monkeys 91 

The Red-Bellied Monkey 93 

The Foot and Hand of the Mangabey 94 

The Mangabey 95 

The Moor Macaque 98 

Face of the Wanderoo 99 

The Baboon ... 101 

The Sacred Baboon 105 

The Pig-tailed Baboon iog 

The Common Baboon 113 

The Mandrill 117 

The Black Baboon 11S 

Yellow-Tailed Howler and Young 121 

Head of the Black Howler 123 

The Caparro 125 

Group of Spider Monkeys 127 

The Coaita 128 

The Black and Variegated Spider Monkeys 129 

The Brown Capuchin 130 

The Cai 131 

Bonnet Monkey 133 

The Squirrel Monkey 135 

The Red Douroucouli 137 

The Monk 138 

The Couxio 139 

The Spider Monkey 140 

The Common Marmosets 141 

Deville's Midas 142 

Garnett's Galago 145 

The Diadem Indris and the Woolly Indris 146 

The Mongoose Lemur, or Woolly Macaco . . . 147 

Ring-Tailed Lemurs 149 

Head of the Black Lemur 150 

The Ruffled Lemur 151 

The Maholi Galago and the Senegal Galago 153 



13 



14 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Monteiro's Galago 154 

The Angwantibo 155 

Slow Loris , 156 

The Slender Loris, showing its attitude and habits. 157 

The Malmag 15S 

The Aye-Aye 1 59 

Marsh Bat 161 

The Collared Bat 163 

Long-Eared Bats in Flight 164 

Blainville's Bat 165 

Collared Fruit Bat with Young 167 

Head of Gray Fruit Bat 169 

Head of the Maned Fruit Bat 169 

The Hammer-Headed Bat 170 

Head of the Greater Horseshoe Bat 171 

Head of the Lesser Horseshoe Bat 171 

Head of the Male Diadem Bat 172 

Head of the Female Diadem Bat, 172 

Head of the Persian Trident Bat 172 

Head of the Cordate Leaf Bat 172 

The African Megarderm 173 

Head of Long-Eared Bat . 174 

Long-Eared Bat Sleeping 174 

Barbastelle Walking 175 

Head of Noctule 176 

Welwitsch's Bat ..-< 177 

New Zealand Bat 178 

Head of Mouse-Colored Bat 179 

Head of Collared Bat 1 79 

Head of Blainville's Bat 179 

Head of Vampire Bat 1S0 

The Tana 1S3 

Low's Ptilocerque 1 S4 

The Rynchocyon 1S5 

The Hedgehog 187 

Hedgehog and Young 187 

The Bulau.. '. . 188 

The Tanrec 189 

The West African River Shrew 191 

The Common Mole 193 

Moie's Fortress 194 

Mole Feeding 194 

The Water Shrew 195 

Side View of Snout of Star-Nosed Mole 196 

Front View of Snout of Star-Nosed Mole 196 

King of the Forest 199 

The Lion 201 

Lion of Barbary 205 

The Lion of Senegal 207 

Lions Roaring 211 

Lioness and Young 213 

The Tiger 215 



The Royal Tiger 217 

Tiger Hunting 219 

The Tiger Escaped 221 

Tiger and Crocodile Fighting 223 

Leopards at Home 227 

The Jaguar 229 

The. Ounce 231 

The Clouded Tiger 233 

The Ocelot 234 

The Marbled Tiger Cat 235 

The Jaguarondi 236 

The Eyra 237 

The Serval 238 

The Bay Cat 239 

Wild Cat Hunting 240 

WildCat 241 

Cruel Pussy 243 

The Foster Mother 245 

Angora Cat 247 

European Lynx 248 

The Canadian Lynx 249 

The Caracal 251 

The Cheetah 253 

Spotted Hyenas 255 

The Lesser Civet 260 

The Binturong 261 

A Breakfast Party 265 

Eskimo Dogs 269 

Water Spaniel 273 

Hare Indian Dog 275 

The Italian Grayhound 277 

The Poodle 278 

The Newfoundland Dog 279 

Head of Setter 280 

The Bloodhound 281 

The Setter 282 

The Badger Dog 283 

The Mastiff 285 

Kangaroo Pursued by Dingos 286 

Young Wolves 287 

A Wolf 289 

Coyote, or Prairie Wolf 291 

The Jackal of Senegal 293 

The Common Fox 294 

Sly Foxes 295 

The Arctic Fox - . . 297 

Brown Bear and Young 301 

Black Bear 302 

The Grizzly Bear 303 

The Malayan Sun Bear 305 

The Sloth Bear 306 

Polar Bear and Walrus 307 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



15 



Interior of Bear Hole 3°9 

The Raccoon 3" 

The Panda 312 

The Glutton 3*3 

The Sable 315 

The Weasel 316 

The Polecat— The Ferret 317 

The Ratel 319 

The Badger 321 

The Skunk 323 

The Otter 325 

Head of Walrus. 329 

Herd of Walruses 331 

Sea Lion Dozing on His Back 333 

Sea Lion Fast Asleep 333 

Sea Lion Climbing 333 

Sea Lion in Watchful Attitude 333 

Sea Lion Licking His Leg 333 

Sea Lion Scratching with Hind Legs 333 

The Falkland Island Fur Seal 335 

Flippers of New Zealand Fur Seal 337 

Hind Flippers of Ringed Seal 337 

The Crested Seal 338 

The Elephant Seal 339 

The Sperm Whale 341 

The Narwhal 345 

Greenland Whale 347 

The Manatee 351 

The Indian Elephant 355 

African Elephant and Young 359 

Jumbo at Work and Play 361 

The Mammoth 363 

Indian Elephant 365 

The Arab Horse 369 

American Trotting Horse 371 

A Pair of Draft Horses 373 

Shetland Pony 374 

The Wild Ass of Abyssinia 375 

Burchell's Zebra 376 

The Quagga 377 

The American Tapir 379 

The Malayan Tapir 381 

The White Rhinoceros 382 

The Keitloa 383 

Indian Rhinoceros and Elephant Fighting 385 

Front View of Head of Sumatran Rhinoceros .... 3S7 

Side View of Head of Sumatran Rhinoceros 387 

The Hairy-eared Rhinoceros 389 

The Wild Boar. 391 

Head of Wild Boar 392 

Head of Domestic Hog 392 

Domestic Hogs 393 



The Bush Hog 394 

The Babirusa 395 

The Ethiopian Wart Hog 396 

The Peccary ... 397 

The Common River Horse or Hippopotamus .... 399 

Hippopotamus and Young 401 

The Mouflon 405 

The Ammon 406 

The Big Horn 407 

The Barbary Wild Sheep 408 

Long-eared Goat 409 

Long horned Goat 409 

Angora Goat . 410 

The Ibex 411 

The Markhoor 412 

The Gazelle 413 

The Saiga 415 

African Antelope 416 

Head of Female Bush-Buck 417 

The Eland 41S 

The Koodoo 419 

The Gnu 420 

The Chamois 421 

The Oryx 423 

The Gemsbok 424 

The Musk Ox 425 

Head Chillingham Bull 426 

Curled Horned Ox 426 

Long-horned Ox 427 

Common Cow 427 

Syrian Cattle 428 

The American Bison 429 

The Yak 431 

Head of Cape Buffalo 432 

The Anoa 433 

The Pronghorn Antelope 435 

The Musk Deer 436 

Giraffe 437 

Young Deer 439 

Moose and Wolves 441 

Head of Red Deer, antlers covered with "velvet" 442 
Head of Red Deer in which antler is fully 

developed 443 

The Wapiti Fighting 445 

Fallow Deer and Young 447 

The Chinese Elaphure 451 

Reindeer pursued by Wolves 453 

The Water Deerlet, or Chevrotain 454 

Camel's Head 455 

Water Cells of the Camel's Stomach 456 

The True Camel ... 457 

The Bactrian Camel 459 



16 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



The Llama 460 

Alpaca 461 

The European Squirrel 467 

The Taguan ... 469 

The Gopher 470 

The Alpine Marmot. 471 

Prairie Dogs 472 

Prairie Dog Town, showing interior of burrow... 473 

The Fulgent Anomalure. 475 

The Beaver 477 

The Dormice 481 

The Brown Rat 483 

The Harvest Mouse 485 

The Muskrat 489 

The Mole Rat 493 

The Alactaga 495 

The Degu 496 

The Common Porcupine 497 

The Tree Porcupine 499 

The Chinchilla 501 

Azara's Agouti. 502 

The Dynomys 503 

The Guinea Pig 504 

Patagonian Cavy 505 

Rabbits at Home 507 



Wild Rabbit 508 

Egyptian Hare 509 

The Alpine Pika 510 

The Collared Sloth 513 

The Cape Ant-Eater (from life) ... 517 

Temminck Pangolin 519 

Ant Bear 521 

The Two-Toed Ant Eater 523 

The Great Aramadillo 525 

The Ball Armadillo 527 

The Pichiciago 529 

The Great Kangaroo (male and female) 532 

Group of Kangaroos 533 

Common Tree Kangaroo 534 

The Kangaroo Rat 535 

Common Wombat 536 

The Koala 538 

The Bandicoot 539 

The Dog-Headed Thylacinus. . . 540 

Opossum and Young 541 

The Porcupine Echidna 543 

The Duck Billed Platypus 545 

Fore and Hind Foot of Platypus 546 

Home of the Duck Billed Platypus 547 



COLORED ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Virginia Opossum. 
The Marmoset . . . 
Tigers at Home. . 
The Raccoon 



.Frontispiece. I African Elephant and Young. 

129 White and Black Rhinoceros. 

225 Giraffes 

, ." 305 i Carolina Gray Squirrel 



353 
385 
433 
4°5 






V N %^Vv 



CHAPTER I. 

ORDER I.— QUADRUMANA.— THE APES AND MONKEYS. 

If one of each kind of the Apes and Monkeys which are now living on the 
globe could be collected and placed in a large zoological garden, and if those 




GROUP OF APES, MONKEYS AND A LEMUR. 

which lived in former ages, and whose skeletons have been discovered by geolo- 
gists, could be brought to life, and added to the whole, they would certainly form 

17 2 



18 



APES AND MONKEYS. 



a very amusing and remarkable assemblage. What endless fun there would be, 
what scamperings, skirmishes, and quarrels would take place, how they would 
grin, chatter, and pull tails all the live-long day; and as evening began, how some, 
which had been quiet spectators before, would commence howling, and how others 
would rush about amongst their tired and sleepy companions, with noiseless 
bounds until the return of daylight. 

If each of these representative Monkeys could give an account of itself, whence 
it had come, how it had lived in its native forests and woods, and what it did with 
itself all day, a most interesting and novel Natural History Book could be com. 
piled, for only the histories of a few have been written, and they are by no means 
always veracious. They would have come from Asia and many of its islands, from 




AMERICAN MONKEY, WITH PREHENSILE TAIL. 

Africa, from South America and the Isthmus to the north, and Europe would 
have sent one from the rocks of Gibraltar. All natives of hot countries, and 
incapable of subsisting in cold and temperate climates, except by the aid of man; 
and yet, unless those of the same country had been properly introduced either 
by Dame Nature or by the chapter of accidents incident to such a very unlikely 
meeting as we are imagining, they would not know many of their fellows. 
There would be every shade of color, shape, and size; there would be many 
without tails, some with stumps, and others with long tails of no great use except 
to afford temptation to the mischievous; and not a few with fine large ones useful 
in the extreme, by acting as a fifth limb. Many would have very human faces and 



APES AND MONKEYS. 



19 



sharp eyes, others would look more like dogs, and fierce enough, and there would 
be every variety of posture. Some would sit very well, others would go on all 
fours, and there would be others swinging with their long and strong arms, and 
making tremendous jumps and bounds, assisted in some by the prehensile tail. 
Some would want one kind of fruit, and others different kinds of vegetables, but 
only two or three tiny little ones would care much about grubs and eggs. All 
would have the very best possible limbs for climbing, grasping, picking, and 
stealing, and all would have good hands, that is to say, fingers and thumbs and 
wrists in front, also foot-hands, that is to say, feet with a great thumb-like toe be- 
hind. In a general sense they would all be four-handed or Quadrumanous, and 
this peculiarity would distinguish them 
from any interlopers who might have 
got into the asemblage unasked. 

The limbs of the Quadrumana vary 
greatly in their proportions, but in most 
of them the anterior are longer than the 
posterior: in all, they are admirably 
adapted to the purposes to which they 
are applied in climbing and leaping, by 
the slenderness of their forms, the flexi- 
bility of their joints, and the muscular 
activity with which these qualities are 
so strikingly combined. But of all their 
organs, there is perhaps none which 
exhibits so remarkable a discrepancy in 
every particular as the tail, which is 
entirely wanting in some, forms a mere 
tubercle in others, in a third group is 
short and tapering, in a fourth of moder. 
ate length and cylindrical; in a fifth 

extremely long, but uniformly covered with hair; in others, again, of equal length, 
divested of hair beneath and near the tip, and capable of being twisted around the 
branch of a tree, or any other similar substance, in such a manner as to support 
the whole weight of the animal, even without the assistance of its hands. 

In none of them, it may be observed, the hands are formed for swimming, or 
the nails constructed for digging the earth; and in none of them is the naked, cal- 
lous portion, which corresponds to the sole or the palm, capable of being applied 
like the feet of man or of the bear, to the flat surfaces on which they may occasion- 
ally tread. Even in those which have the greatest propensity to assume an upright 
posture, the body is, under such circumstances, wholly supported by the outer 
margins of the posterior hands. The earth, in fact, is not their proper place of 
abode; they are essentially inhabitants of trees, and every part of their organiza- 




FOOT AND HAND OF A MONKEY. 



20 



APES AND MONKEYS. 



tions is admirably fitted for the mode of life for which they were destined by the 
hand of nature. 

Throughout the vast forests of Asia, Africa, and South America, and more 
especially in those portions of these continents which are comprehended within 
the tropics, they congregate in numerous troops, bounding rapidly from branch to 
branch, and from tree to tree, in search of the fruits and eggs which constitute 
their principal means of subsistence. In the course of these peregrinations, which 
are frequently executed with a velocity scarcely to be followed by the eye, they 
seem to give a momentary, and but a momentary, attention to every remarkable 
object that falls in their way, but never appear to remember it again, for they will 
examine the same object with the same rapidity as often as it occurs and apparently 

without in the least 
recognizing it as that 
which they had seen 
before. They pass 
suddenly from a 
state of seeming tran- 
quility to the most 
violent demonstra- 
tions of passion and 
sensuality, and in the 
course of a few min- 
utes run through all 
the various phases 
of gesture and action 
of which they are 
capable, and for 
which their peculiar 
conformation affords 
ample scope. The 
females treat their 

young with the greatest tenderness until they become capable of shifting for 
themselves, when they turn them loose upon the world, and conduct toward them 
from that time forward in the same manner as toward the most perfect strangers. 
The degrees of their intelligence, which in general is very limited, and is not 
capable of being made subservient to the purpose of man, except as a show in a 
menagerie, vary almost as much as the ever-changing outline of their form. 
From the grave and reflective orang-outang, whose docility and powers of imita- 
tion in his young state have been the theme of great wonder and equal exaggera- 
tion, to the coarse and brutal baboon, the gradations are gradual and easy. A 
remarkable circumstance connected with the development of the faculty of being 
educated, or perhaps we should rather say, with its gradual extinction, consists in 




GROUP OF LEMURS. 



APES AND MONKEYS. 21 



the fact that it is only in young animals which have not yet attained their full 
growth that it is capable of being brought into play — the older individuals even 
of the most tractable races, entirely losing their gayety, and with it the docility of 
their youth, and becoming at length nearly as stupid and as savage as the most 
barbarous of the tribe. 

Although nearly all the monkeys, as well as the apes, live on fruits and the 
eggs of birds, still many of them devour small birds and quadrupeds, and some 
occasionally feed on fish. We are told that certain species display great address in 
getting at the flesh of shell-fish. The oysters ef the tropical climates being larger 
than ours, the monkeys when they reach the sea-side, pick up stones and thrust 
them between the open shells, which are thus prevented from closing, and the cun- 
ning animals eat the fish at their ease. In order to attract crabs, they put their 
tails before the holes in which they have taken refuge. When they have fastened 
on the bait, the monkeys suddenly withdraw their tails, and thus drag their prey 
on shore. 

From the very earliest ages the extraordinary resemblance of the monkey tribe 
to man has attracted the curiosity of mankind. The ancient Egyptians sculptured 
their forms on their granite monuments, and reverenced some species as gods- 
The modern Arabs regard them as the progeny of the evil one, for whom nothing fs 
sacred, nothing venerable, who have been cursed since the day when God changed 
them from men into apes, and who still bear in strange combination the form of the 
devil and of man. We of the present day look upon them with mixed feelings. The 
caricature of the human form and human faculties which they exhibit is tolerable 
to us in the smaller, playful species, but abhorrent in the larger wilder kinds. They 
are at once too like and too unlike ourselves. Like man they stand upright; like 
man they have hands, a hairless face, and eyes looking directly forward. Yet even 
these hands, so like ours to the ordinary eye, are not the admirable instrument 
possessed by man; the thumb is shorter and more widely separated fron the fingers, 
and the fingers cannot act separately like a man's. The haggard, hairy body, the 
long arms, the thin, calfless legs, the small receding skull, and the thin in-drawn 
lips, are all characteristics of the ape, the very opposite of those found in man. 

Morally as well as physically, the apes constitute the "seamy side" of man. 
They are malicious, cunning, sensual, greedy, thievish, easily provoked to rage, 
and have human vices and defects. But they are not without what we name 
virtues. They are sagacious, cheerful, social, devotedly fond of their offspring, 
and display striking compassion towards the sick and the weak. Intellectually 
they are neither so much higher than other animals, nor so much lower than man, 
as is commonly maintained. The posession of a hand gives them great advantages 
over the rest of the animal kingdom, they have a strong tendency for imitating, and 
are easily taught actions which no other animals can perform. And if we compare 
the mental qualities of the ape with those of the dog, to the disadvantage of the 
former, we must remember that man has been for thousands of years training and 



2:2 



APES AND MONKEYS. 



educating the dog, while the ape has had no opportunity of enjoying the elevating 
society of mankind. Taking this circumstance into account, we must recognize 
the ape as the most sagacious of beasts. Yet he is deceived and. out-tricked with 
ease: his passions conquer his prudence. The Malays make a small hole in a gourd, 
and then place in the interior sugar or some fruits that apes love. The ape inserts 
its hand through the narrow opening, grasps a handful, and finds that it cannot be 
withdrawn again; it allows itself to be captured rather than lose its grasp on the 
dainties it has seized. 

The Monkeys of the Old and the New world differ from each other in several 
remarkable points, some ot which are characteristic of all the species of each; while 

others, although affording 
good and tangible means of 
discrimination, are but par- 
tially applicable. Thus the 
nostrils of all the species 
inhabiting the Old World, are 
anterior like those of man, and 
divided only by a narrow sep- 
tum: in those of the New 
World, on the contrary, they 
are invariably separated by a 
broad division, and conse- 
quently occupy a position 
more or less lateral. It is from 
this difference of structure 
that the former are denomin- 
ated Catarrkince, from the 
Greek kata, downward, and 
rhin, nose ; and the latter 
Platyrrhince, from the Greek 
platus, flat, and rhin, nose; 
these terms being descriptive 
of the two families. 

The tails of all the American monkeys are of great length, but they differ more 
or less from each other in the power of suspending themselves by means of that 
organ — a faculty which is nevertheless common to the greater number of them, and 
of which those of the Old World are entirely destitute. On the other hand, the 
American species never exhibit any traces of two remarkable provisions — the 
callousities on the haunches or of the cheek-pouches; both of which are nearly uni- 
versal with the monkeys proper of the Asiatic and African races. For the former 
of these peculiarities, no use is known; the cheek-pouches, which are membraneous 
sacks on each side of the mouth, are employed to carry food, and some are suffi- 




A CATARRHINE MONKEY. A PLATYRRHIN1 
MONKEY WITH CHEEK POUCHES. 



APES AND MONKEYS. 



23 



ciently capacious to hold a supply for two days. These characteristics do not 
belong to the higher apes. 

The Quadrumana embraces four sections— the Monkey-like family, the Lemurs, 
the Aye-aye, and the Flying-lemurs. These differ in many important respects, yet 
they all agree in having four hands, fitting them peculiarly for an arborial existence. 
In many of the species the anterior limbs have but four fingers, with the thumbs 
confined to the hind feet. Notwithstanding the conformation, they are all as true 
quadrupeds as most of the clawed mammalia, for in a state of nature they appear 
never to walk on the hind legs, which are in fact too weak to be employed as in the 
human subject, for the sole organs of locomotion; and besides, the structure of the 
foot, even in those most resembling man, is such that when on the ground it treads 
on the side and not on the palm. The legs are also set in such a manner as to 
tread outward, and thus to be incapable of bearing great weight. 

We shall embrace our description of the monkey family under the following 
divisions: ist, The Man-Like Apes; 2d, The Old- World Monkeys; 3d, The 
American Monkeys. 




A RING-TAILED MONKEY 



CHAPTER II. 

THE MAN LIKE APES. 

The true apes make up the leading group of the quadrumana. These 
animals are destitute alike of tails and cheek pouches. They possess the highest 
intelligence and the greatest resemblance to man. 

They are inhabitants of equatorial Africa, and oi the great Asiatic islands and 
the adjacent mainland, and first and foremost amongst them is 

THE AFRICAN GORILLA-Africa, to the south of the great desert, has 
always been a country of wonders, and highly attractive to imaginative and 
restless men ; and its dark population, so ignorant and superstitious, has, from its 
love of the marvellous, shadowed the truth with much mystery. Hence, 
travellers in those tropical regions, which are so fatal to Europeans, have from the 
earliest times told of man-like creatures they had heard of and sometimes seen ; 
and they have associated them in the equatorial part of the continent with human 
dwarfs, pigmies, and monsters. For centuries these degraded human races have 
been sought after, and now, whilst it is admitted that dwarfed men exist, it has 
come to light that most of the stories which led to the belief in their hideous 
associates were derived from the existence of large man-like apes — creatures of 
dread to the natives — whose traditions are full of credulous anecdotes about them. 
Hidden in the recesses of vast forests, where the silence of nature is intense, and 
moving with great activity, where men can hardly follow, these animals acquired 
most doubtful reputations, and their ugly personal appearance, so suggestive of 
violence, was magnified in every way in the eyes of the timid natives. 

So dreaded were these apes, and so environed were they with a superstitious 
mystery, that Europeans had travelled and traded close to their haunts for 
centuries before one of them was seen by any other eyes than those of the native 
negroes. 

The gorilla is found on the west coast of Africa. Their habits are ferocious, 
and instead of flying from man, as is generally the case with the chimpanzee, they 
boldly give him battle. They are said to utter a cry of kha ah, kha-ah, sharp and 
prolonged. Their huge jaws open widely at each expiration ; the lower lip hangs 
upon the chin. The skin is wrinkled and contracted over the eyes, which gives 
them an aspect of inconceivable ferocity. The killing of one of these formidable 

24 



THE GORILLA. 25 



creatures is esteemed a great achievement among the negroes. Sometimes, the 
natives assert, when a company of villagers are moving rapidly through the 
shades of the forest, they become aware of the presence of the formidable ape by 
the sudden disappearance of one of their companions, who is hoisted up into a tree, 
uttering, perhaps, only a short choking sob. In a few minutes he falls to the 
ground a strangled corpse, for the animal, watching his opportunity, has let down 
has huge hind-hand and seized the passing negro by the neck with a vice-like grip, 
and has drawn him up into the branches, dropping him when life and struggling 
have ceased. 

The missionaries, when they were established in the Gaboon region, found 
that all along the coast the gorillas were believed by the natives to be human 
beings, members of their own race degenerated. Some natives who had been a 
little civilized, and who thought a little more than the rest, did not acknowledge 
this relationship, but considered them as embodied spirits, the belief in transmi. 
gration of souls being prevalent. The majority, however, fully believed them to be 
men, and seemed to be unaffected by the arguments 
offered to disprove this fancy; and this was especially 
true of the tribes in the immediate vicinity of the 
locality. They believed them to be literally wild 
men of the woods. Nevertheless they were eaten 
when they could be got, and their flesh, with that 
of the chimpanzee and other monkeys, formed and 
still forms a prominent place in the bill of fare. 

Impressed thus with a belief in their kinship and 
of their ferocity, it was not surprising that live 
gorillas could not be obtained by European travel 
lers. Even a bold and skillful hunter of the elephant, 
when pressed to bring in one, declared he would not 
do it for a mountain of gold. FR0NT VIEW 0F THE SKULL 0F 

t r. .1 c . • , . r r .,, THE GORILLA. 

In 1847 the hrst sight of a part of a gorilla was 
obtained by a Mr. Savage, an American missionary ; it was a skull, and its shape 
struck him as being so extraordinary that he believed the natives were correct in 
attributing it to the much-talked-of ape of whose ferocity and strength he had 
heard so much. 

From the descriptions of the natives, who never attempted to interfere with 
the Gorilla except in self-defence, he learned that its height is above five feet, and 
it is disproportionately broad across the shoulders. It is covered with coarse 
black hair, which greatly resembles that of the Chimpanzee; with age it becomes 
grey, and this fact has given rise to the report that there are more kinds than one. 
Resembling a huge ape in shape, with a great body, comparatively short legs with 
large hind-thumbs, its bulk is considerable, and its arms, reaching further down 
than in man, enable it to grasp and climb well. It does not possess a tail, and the 




26 APES AND MONKEYS. 



head has a wide and long black face, a very deep cheek, great brows over the 
deeply-seated hazel eyes, a flat nose, and a wide mouth with very strong teeth. 
The top of the head has a crest of longish hair, and elsewhere it is exceedingly 
thick and short. The belly is very large. From inquiry he ascertained that when 
walking, their gait is shuffling, and the body, which is never upright like that of 
man, moves from side to side in going along. Usually it walks by resting the 
hands on the ground and then bringing the legs between them, and swinging the 
body forward. They live in bands, and the females generally exceed the males in 
number. They are exceedingly ferocious, never running away from man, and the 
few that have been captured were killed by elephant hunters and native traders as 
they came suddenly upon them whilst passing through the woods. 

It was said, at this time by the natives, that the Gorilla makes a sleeping place 
like a hammock, by connecting the branches of a sheltered and thickly-leaved part 
of a tree by means of the long, tough, slender stems of parasitic plants, and lining 
it with the dried, broad fronds of fern, or with long grass This hammock-like 
abodes may be seen at different heights, from ten to forty feet from the ground, but 
there is never more than one such nest in a tree. Thev avoid the abodes of man, 
but are most commonly seen in the months of September, October and November, 
after the negroes have gathered in their outlying rice crops, and have returned 
from the " bush " to their valleys. So observed, they are described to be usually 
in pairs, or if more, the addition consists of a few young ones of different ages and 
apparently of one family. The Gorilla is not gregarious. The parents may be 
seen sitting on the ground munching fruit, whilst the young Gorillas are at play. 
This rural felicity, however, has its objectionable sides, for occasionally, if not 
invariably, the old male, if he is seen in quest of food, is usually armed with a short 
stick, which the negroes aver to be the weapon with which he attacks his chief 
enemy — the elephant. Not that the elephant directly or intentionally injures the 
Gorilla, but deriving its subsistence from the same source, the Ape regards the 
great proboscidian as a hostile intruder. When, therefore, he sees the elephant 
pulling down and wrenching off the branches of a favorite tree, the Gorilla stealing 
along the bough, strikes the sensitive proboscis of the elephant with a violent blow 
of his club, and drives off the startled giant trumpeting shrilly with pain. In 
passing from one tree to another the Gorilla is said to walk semi-erect, with the aid 
of his club, but with a waddling and awkward gait; when without a stick, he has 
been seen to walk as a man, with his hands clasped across the back of his head, 
instinctively balancing its forward position. If the Gorilla is surprised and 
approached, whatever the ground may be, he betakes himself, on all fours, dropping 
the stick, and makes his way very rapidly, with a kind of sidelong gallop, resting 
on the front knuckles, to the nearest tree. There he meets his pursuer, especially 
if his family is near and requiring his defence. No negro willingly approaches the 
tree in which the male Gorilla keeps guard, even with a gun. The experienced 
negro does not make the attack, but reserves his fire in self-defence. The enmity 



THE GORILLA. 



27 



of the Gorilla to the whole negro race, male and female, is uniformly attested. 
Thus, when young men of the Gaboon tribe make excursions into the forests in 
quest of ivory, the enemy they most dread to meet is the Gorilla. If they have 
come unawares too near him with his family, he does not, like the lion, sulkily 
retreat, but comes rapidly to the attack, swinging down to the lower branches, and 
clutching at the nearest foe. The hideous aspect of the animal, with his green 
eyes flashing with rage, is heightened by the skin over the orbits and evebrows 




FEMALE GORILLA AND YOUNG. 

being drawn rapidly backwards and forwards, -with the hair erected, producing a 
horrible and fiendish scowl. If fired at, and not mortally frit, the Gorilla closes at 
once upon his assailant, and inflicts most dangerous if not deadly wounds with his 
sharp and powerful tusks. The commander of a Bristol trader once saw a negro 
at the Gaboon frightfully mutilated from the bite of a Gorilla, from which he had 
recovered. Another negro exhibited to the same voyager a gun barrel bent and 
partly flattened by a wounded Gorilla in its death struggle. 

The strength of the Gorilla is such as to make him a match for a lion, whose 
strength his own nearly rivals. Over the leopard, invading the lower branches of 



28 



APES AND MONKEYS. 



his dwelling place, he will gain an easier victory ; and the huge canine teeth, with 
which only the male Gorilla is furnished, doubtless have been given to him for 
defending his mate and offspring. 

The descriptions of the habits and anatomy of the Gorilla, fragmentary as they 
were, excited great interest in the minds of many travelers, and especially in that 
of Du Chaillu, an American traveler, who, in 1855, determined to explore Gorilla 
Land, and to obtain some of the great Apes, dead or alive. 

Soon after reaching their native haunts, he and his companions got on track of 

an old male, and suddenly, as they were creeping along in silence, which made a 

heavy breath seem loud and distinct, the woods were at once filled with the 

^-0^ tremendous barking roar of the 

■"'.-■. ■■ > 




Gorilla. Then the underbrush 
swayed rapidly just ahead, and 
presently before them stood an im- 
mense male. He had gone through 
the jungle on all lours, but when he 
saw the party he erected himself and 
looked them boldly in the face. " It 
stood about a dozen yards from us, 
and was a sight I think I never shall 
forget. Nearly six feet high, with 
immense body, huge chest, and great 
muscular arms, with fiercely glaring 
large, deep gray eyes, and a hellish 
expression of face, which seemed to 
me like some nightmare vision — 
there stood before us the king of the 
African forest. He was not afraid of 
us. He stood there and beat his breast with his huge fists till it resounded like an 
immense bass drum, which is their mode of offering defiance; sometimes giving 
vent to roar after roar. The roar of the Gorilla is the most singular and awful 
noise heard in these African woods. It begins with a sharp bark like an angry 
dog, then glides into a deep bass roll, which literally and closely resembles the roll 
of distant thunder along the sky, for which I have sometimes been tempted to take 
it when I did not see the animal. His eyes began to flash fiercely, for we stood 
motionless, on the defensive, and the crest of short hair which stands on his fore- 
head began to twitch rapidly up and down, while his powerful fangs were shown 
as he again set forth a tremendous roar. He advanced a few steps, then stopped 
to utter that hideous roar again ; advanced again, and finally stopped when at the 
distance of about six yards from us, and then, just as he began another of his 
roars, beating his breast with rage, we fired and killed him. With a groan which 
had something terribly human in it, and yet was full of brutishness, he fell forward 



FACE OF THE GORILLA. 




"3*&£gJu< 



MALE GORILLA. 



30 APES AND MONKEYS. 

on his face. The body shook convulsively for a few minutes, the limbs moved 
about in a struggling way, and then all was quiet ; death had done its work, and I 
had leisure to examine the huge body. It proved to be five feet eight inches high, 
and the muscular development of the arms and breast showed the immense 
strength it had possessed." 

Du Chaillu once had a capital view of some Gorillas at their meal. News 
having come that Gorillas had been recently seen in the neighborhood of a plan- 
tation on the Fernandez Vas River, just south of the equator and not far from the 
West African coast, he got up early and went into it. He writes : " The plantation 
was a large one, and situated on broken ground, surrounded by the virgin forest. 
It was a lovely morning ; the sky was cloudless, and all around was as still as death, 
except the slight rustling of the tree tops, moved by the gentle land breeze. When 
1 reached the place, I had just to pick my way through the maze of tree stumps 
and half-burned logs by the side of a field of casada. 

" I was going quietly along the borders of this when I heard in the grove of 
plantation trees toward which I was walking a great crushing noise like the 
breaking of trees. I immediately hid myself behind a bush, and was soon gratified 
with the sight of a female Gorilla; but before I had time to notice its movements, 
a second and third emerged from the masses of colossal foliage ; at length, no less 
than four came in view. They were all busily engaged in tearing down the larger 
trees. One of the females had a young one following her. I had an excellent 
opportunity of watching the movements of the impish-looking band. The shaggy 
hides, the protuberant abdomens, the hideous features of these strange creatures, 
whose forms so nearly resemble man, made up a picture like a vision in a morbid 
dream. In destroying a tree, they first grasped the base of the stem with one of 
their feet, and then with their powerful arms pulled it down, a matter of not much 
difficulty with so loosely-formed a stem as that of the plantain. They then set 
upon the juicy fruit of the tree at the base of the leaves, and devoured it with great 
voracity. While eating they made a kind of chuckling noise, expressive of con- 
tentment. Many trees they destroyed, apparently out of pure mischief. Now 
and then they stood still and looked around. Once or twice they seemed on the 
point of starting off in haste, but recovered themselves and continued their work. 
Gradually they got nearer to the edge of the dark forest, and finally disappeared." 
On the next day he was carrying a light gun, having given his heavy double- 
barreled rifle to a boy to carry, when, in a deep hollow flanked with sugar-cane, 
he saw on the slope opposite him a gigantic Gorilla standing erect, and walking 
directly towards him Pointing his rifle, he turned to look for the boy, but he had 
seen the Gorilla and bolted forthwith. The huge beast stared at Du Chaillu for 
about two minutes, and then, without uttering any noise, moved off to the shade of 
the forest, running nimbly on his hands and feet. 

Anxious to possess some adult Gorillas, Du Chaillu offered rewards to the 
native hunters, and on one occasion they brought in three live ones, one being full- 



THE GORILLA. 



31 




grown. This was a large adult female, who was bound hand and foot, and with it 

was her female child, screaming terribly, and the third was a vigorous young male, 

who was also tightly bound. The female had been ingeniously secured by the 

negroes to a strong stick, the wrists being bound 

to the upper part, and the ankles to the lower, 

so that she could not reach to tear the cords with 

her teeth. It was dark when they were brought 

in, and the scene was wild and strange in the ex- 
treme. " The fiendish countenances of the Cali- 

ban-ish trio, one of them distorted by pain, for 

the mother Gorilla was severely wounded, were 

lit up by the ruddy glare of native torches." The 

young male was secured by a chain, and Du 

Chaillu gave him the name of Tom. His feet 

and hands were untied, and he immediately 

showed his want of gratitude by rushing at his 

possessor, screaming with all his might; but the 

chain was happily made fast, and he did no harm. 

The old mother Gorilla was in an unfortunate 

plight. She had 
an arm broken, 
and a wound in 

the chest, besides being dreadfully beaten about 
the head; she groaned and roared many times 
during the night, probably from pain. She lived 
until next day, her moanings were more frequent 
in the morning, and they gradually become 
weaker as her life ebbed out. Her death was like 
that of a human being, and her child clung to her 
to the last, and tried to obtain milk from her 
oreast after she was dead. The young one was 
kept alive three days on goat's milk, but it died on 
the fourth day. The young male would not be 
photographed, for pointing the camera at him 
made the irascible little thing a small demon, but 
after some attempts his likeness was taken. The 
same traveler came suddenly on a band of Gor- 
illas in a forest: "a whole group was on a tree hid- 
den by the dense foliage. They bolted off making 
the thinner boughs bend with their weight, and 

an old male, apparently the guardian of the flock, made a bold stand, and glared at 

him through an opening. As soon as voices were heard, the shaggy Ape roared a 




'HE HAND OF YOUNG 
GORILLA. 



* 



iA< 



P* 



PALM OF THE FOOT OF YOUNG 
GORILLA. 



32 APES AND MONKEYS. 



cry of alarm, scrambled to the ground through the entangled lianas that were 
around the tree trunk, and soon disapeared into the jungle." 

Having had, then, so many opportunities of seeing Gorillas alive and dead, 
Du Chaillu, of course, added largely to the knowledge of their general shape and 
habits, and obtained skins for stuffing, and bones for the anatomists. Five speci- 
mens were sent over by him to England, and great discussions took place; some 
naturalists asserting that the ferocity and courage of the great Ape were imaginary, 
and others believing in the truth of Du Chaillu, whose only fault was over-sensa- 
tional writing, and who strenuously denied many of the native stories. Then the 
anatomists had a great quarrel about the brain of the creature, and handled each 
other very severely. Of the nature of the outside of the Gorilla there could be no 
doubt, fortunately, for there are the stuffed skins and bones to be seen, and an exam- 
ination of those in the national collection will prove how closely Savage must have 
questioned the natives who gave him reliable information, and how little can be added 
to his description. Du Chaillu says that in length the adult Gorillas vary as much 
as men, and believes the tallest are six feet two inches in height, but that the average 
is from five feet two inches to five feet eight inches. The females are smaller, or 
have a lighter frame, their height averaging about four feet six inches. The color 
of the skin in the Gorilla, young as well as adult, is intense black, so far as the face, 
breast, and palms of the hands are concerned. The fur of a grown, but not aged 
specimen, is iron-gray, and the individual hairs are ringed with alternate stripes of 
black and gray. It is long on the arms, and slopes downward from the shoulder to 
the elbow, and upwards from the wrists to it. The head is covered with reddish 
brown hair, which is short, and reaches the short neck. The chest is bare in the 
adults, and thinly covered with hair in the young males. In the female the breast 
is bare, and the hair elsewhere is black with a red tinge, but it is not ringed as in 
the male; moreover, the reddish crown which covers the scalp of the male is not 
apparent in the female until she has almost become full grown. The eyes are 
deeply sunken: the immense overhanging long ridge giving the face the expression 
of a constant savage scowl. The mouth is wide, and the lips are sharply cut, 
exhibiting no red on the edges, as on the human face. The jaws are of tremendous 
weight and power. The huge eye-teeth or canines, of the male, which are fully 
exhibited when in his rage, he draws back his lips and shows the red color of the 
inside of his mouth, lend additional ferocity to his aspect. In the female these 
teeth are smaller. The almost total absence of neck, which gives the head the 
appearance of being set into the shoulders, is due to the backward position of the 
joints which fix the head to the spine, and this allows the chin to hang over the 
top of the front of the chest. The brain-case is low and compressed, and its lofty 
top ridge causes the profile of the skull to describe an almost straight line from 
the back part or occiput, to the ridge over the brow. The immense development 
of the muscles which arise from this ridge, and the corresponding size of the jaw, 
are evidences of the great strength of the animal. The eyebrows are thin, but not 



THE GORILLA. 



33 



well-defined, and are almost lost in the hair of the scalp. The eyelashes are thin 
also. The eyes are wide apart, and the ears, which are on a line with them, are 
smaller than those of man, but very much like his. In a front view of the face 
the nose is flat, but somewhat prominent — more so than in any other Ape ; this is 
on account of a slightly projecting nose-bone, very unusual in Apes. The chest 
is of great capacity ; the shoulders being exceedingly broad. The abdomen is of 
immense size, very prominent, and rounded at the sides. The front limbs have a 
prodigious muscular development, and are very long, extending nearly as low as 
the knees. The fore-arm is nearly of uniform size from the wrist to the elbow, and, 
indeed, the great length of the arms, and the shortness of the legs, form one of the 
chief differences between it and man. The arms are not long when compared with 
the trunk, but they are so in comparison with the legs. These are short and 
decrease in size from below the knee to the ankle, having no calf. The hands, 
especially in the male, are of im- 
mense size, strong-boned and 
thick ; the fingers are short and 
large, the circumference of the 
middle finger at the first joint 
being five and a half inches in 
some Gorillas. The skin on the 
back of the fingers, near the mid- 
dle, is callous and very thick, 
which shows that the most usual 
mode of progression of the ani- 
mal is on all-fours, and resting on 
the knuckles. The thumb is short 
and not half so thick as the fore- 
finger; and the hand is hairy as far as the division of the fingers which are covered 
with short thin hairs. The palm of the hand is naked, callous and intensely black. 
The nails are black, and shaped like those of man, but are smaller in proportion, 
and project very slightly beyond the ends of the fingers. They are thick and 
strong, and always seem much worn. The hand of the Gorilla is almost as wide as 
it is long, and in this it approaches nearer to those of man than any other Apes. 
The foot is proportionally wider than in man; the sole is callous, and intensely 
black, and looks somewhat like a giant hand of immense power and grasp. The 
transverse wrinkles show the frequency and freedom of movement of the two joints 
of the great toe-thumb, proving that they have a power of grasp. The middle 
toe, or third, is longer than the second and fourth, and this is unlike the foot in 
man. The toes are divided into three groups, so to speak; inside the great toe, 
outside the little toe, and the three others partly united by a webb. Du Chaillu 
thinks that in no other animal is the foot so well adapted for the maintainance of 
the erect position, and he believed that the Gorilla is much less of a tree-climber 
3 




HAND BONES OF THE GORILLA. 



34 APES AND MONKEYS. 



than any other Ape. The foot of the Gorilla is certainly longer than the hand, as 
in man. 

The Gorilla has a large head, and one is at once struck with the width and length 
of the face, and the great prominent brows immediately over the eyes. There 
appears to be no forehead, for the head recedes rapidly backwards, and then 
comes a high ridge of hair, in old males, running from before backwards on the top 
of the scalp, and meeting another which is less prominent, and placed across the 
back of the skull, from the back of one ear to the front of the other. The animal 
has the power of moving the flesh and skin which constitute the scalp freely 
forwards and backwards, so that when it is in rage its scowl is made all the more 
threatening and ugly by its frowning and bringing down the hairy ridge to close 
above the eyes. The hazel eyes are large, and they are separated by a small, 
prominent bridge belonging to the nose, the rest of which is broad and flattened 
out. The jaws project forwards, and are long and wide, the teeth being large and 
strong, and visible when uncovered by the fleshy and rather hairy lips. The ears 
are small for the size of the head, when they are compared with those of other 
Apes, and they, as well as the skin of the face, are naked and dark. 

Nature has been kinder to the females so far as beauty is concerned, for they 
have less marked crests of hair, smaller brows, and shorter side teeth, and there- 
fore more amiable faces under all circumstances. 

With all its great strength, the head of the great Ape cannot move as readily 
on the neck as that of weaker man, for the skull is not placed on the neck end of 
the back-bone quite in the same manner, and its position is not that which is admi- 
rably (as in us) adapted for carrying the head erect. In climbing trees, the Gorilla, 
like a man under the same circumstances, lifts up the arms over the head, and clasps 
or holds on with one hand, but the position of the hand is not the same. Apes 
seize instinctively with the knuckles towards them, and not with the ends of the 
fingers and palm as man. Although they have such strong arms, covered with a 
stout skin and with hairs sloping downwards, the Gorilla manages to break them 
and then Nature endeavors to repair the injury. In the skeleton of an old male 
Gorilla in the British Museum there are proofs of a former fracture of the humerus 
or upper arm-bone. The arm was broken across, and as it could not be kept quiet 
Dame Nature has not done her work as well as a modern surgeon could on a 
patient whose arm he could put in splints, for it is thickened, shortened, and twisted. 

Many attempts have been made to obtain a live Gorilla for exhibition, but 
these have been only partially successful. Mr. Moore describes a young one 
brought to Liverpool by the German African Society. He states : " I found the 
little creature romping and rolling in full liberty about the private drawing-room, 
now looking out of the window with all becoming gravity and sedateness, as 
though interested, but not disconcerted, by the busy multitude and novelty without, 
then bounding rapidly along on knuckles and feet to examine and poke fun at some 
new comer; playfully mumbling at his calves, pulling at his beard (a special 



THE GORILLA. 



35 



delight), clinging to his arms, examining his hat (not at all to its improvement), 
curiously inquisitive as to his umbrella, and so on with visitor after visitor. If he 
becomes over-excited by the fun, a gentle box on the ear would bring him to order 
like a child, like a child only to be on the romp again immediately. He points 
with the index finger, claps with his hands, pouts out his tongue, feeds on a mixed 
diet, decidedly prefers roast meats to boiled, eats strawberries, as I saw, with 
delicate appreciativeness, is exquisitely clean and mannerly. The palms of his 
hands and feet are beautifully plump, soft, and black as jet. He has been eight 
months and a half in the possession of the Expedition, has grown some six inches 
in that time, and is supposed to be between two and three years of age." 

' Du Chaillu insists on the ill-temper, ferocity and untamable nature of the 
young Gorilla, as the results of his experience. One was brought to him about 
three years of age, with its neck put in the cleft of a stick to keep it quiet, and after 




)NES OF THE FORE-ARM AND ARM 
SIDE VIEW. 

much trouble they got it into a bamboo cage. It was a little black thing of two 
feet six inches in height, and its habits, escapes and death are amusingly told. " As 
soon as I had the little fellow safely locked in his cage, I ventured to approach to 
say a few encouraging words to him. He stood in the farthest corner, but as I 
approached, he bellowed and made a precipitate rush at me; and though I 
retreated as quickly as I could he succeeded in catching my trouser leg, which he 
grasped with one of his feet and tore, retreating immediately to the corner farthest 
away. This taught me caution for the present, though I had a hope still to be able 
to tame him. He sat in his corner looking wickedly out of his gray eyes, and I 
never saw a more morose or more ill-tempered face than had this little beast. The 
first thing was, of course, to attend to the wants of my captive. I sent for some 
of the forest berries which these animals are known to prefer, and placed these 
and a cup of water within his reach. He was exceedingly shy, and would neither 



36 APES AND MONKEYS. 



eat nor drink till I had removed to a considerable distance. The second day found 
Joe, as I had named him, fiercer than the first. He rushed savagely at any one 
who stood even for a moment near his cage, and seemed ready to tear us all to 
pieces. I threw him some pineapple leaves, of which I noticed he ate only the 
white parts. There seemed no difficulty about his food, though he refused now, and 
continued during his short life to refuse, all food except such wild leaves and fruits 
as were gathered from his native woods for him. The third day he was still 
morose and savage, bellowing when any person approached, and either retiring to 
a distant corner or rushing to attack. Cm the fourth day, while no one was near, 
the little rascal succeeded in forcing apart two of the bamboo rails which composed 
his cage, and made his escape. I came up just as his flight was discovered, and 
immediately got all the negroes together for pursuit, determining to surround the 
wood and recapture my captive. I was startled by an angry growl issuing from 
under my low bedstead, ft was Master Joe, who lay there hid, but anxiously 
watching my movements. I instantly shut the windows, and called to my people 
to guard the door. When Joe saw the crowd of black faces he became furious, 
and, with his eyes glaring, and every sign of rage in his little face and body, got 
out from beneath the bed. We shut the door at the same time and left him master 
of the premises, preferring to devise some plan for his easy capture rather than to 
expose ourselves to his terrible teeth. How to take him was now a puzzling 
question. He had shown such strength and such rage already, that not even I 
cared to run the chance of being badly bitten in a hand-to-hand struggle. Mean- 
time Joe stood in the middle of the room looking about for his enemies, and 
examining, with some surprise, the furniture. I watched with fear, lest the ticking 
of my clock should strike his ear, and perhaps lead him to an assault upon that 
precious article. Indeed, I should have left Joe in possession, but for a fear that 
he would destroy the many articles of value or curiosity I had hung about the 
walls. Finally, seeing him quiet, I dispatched some fellows for a net, and 
opening the door quickly, threw this over his head. Fortunately we succeeded at 
the first throw in perfectly entangling the young monster, who roared frightfully, 
and struck and kicked in every direction. I took hold of the back of his neck, two 
men seized his arms, and another the legs, and thus held by four men this extra- 
ordinary little creature still proved most troublesome. We carried him as quickly 
as we could to the cage, which had been repaired, and there once more locked him 
in. I never saw so furious a beast in my life as he was. He darted at every one 
who came near, bit the bamboos of the house, glared at us with venomous and 
sullen eyes, and in every motion showed a temper thoroughly wicked and malicious. 
As there was no change in this for two days thereafter, but continual moroseness, 
I tried what starvation would do toward breaking his spirits ; also, it began to be 
troublesome to procure his food from the woods, and I wanted him to become 
accustomed to civilized food, which was placed before him. But he would touch 
nothing of the kind ; and as for temper, after starving him twenty-four hours, all J 



THE GORILLA 



37 



gained was that he came slowly up and took some berries from the forest out of 
my hand, immediately retreating to his corner to eat them. Daily attentions from 
me for a fortnight more did not bring me any further confidence from him than 
this. He always snarled at me, and only when very hungry would he take even 
his choicest food from my hands. At the end of this fortnight I came to feed him, 
and found that he had gnawed a bamboo to pieces 
slyly, and again made his escape. Luckily he had but 
just gone ; for, as 1 looked around, 1 caught sight 
of Master Joe making off on all-fours, and with great 
speed, across the little prairie, for a clump of trees. 
Icalled the men up, and we gave chase. He saw us, 
and before we could head him off made for another 
clump. This we surrounded. He did not ascend 
tree, but stood defiantly at the border of the 
wood. About one hundred and fifty of us 
surrounded him. As we moved up he began 
to yell, and made a sudden dash upon a poor 
fellow who was in advance, who ran, tum- 
bled down in affright, and, by his fall, escaped, 
but also detained Joe sufficiently long for the 
nets to be brought to bear upon him. 




Four of us again bore him struggling 
into the village. This time I could not 
trust him to the cage, but had a little 
light chain fastened around his neck. 
This operation he resisted with all his 
might, and it took us quite an hour to 
securely chain the little fellow, whose 
strength was something marvelous. Ten 
days after he was thus chained he died 
suddenly. He was in good health, and 
ate plentifully of his natural food, which 
was brought every day for him; did not 
seem to sicken until two days before his 
death, and died in some pain. To the 
last he continued entirely untamable; 
and, after his chains were on, added the 
vice of treachery to his others." 

In one of his hunting excursions Du Chaillu obtained a younger Gorilla than 
the last, but its end was sad enough. 

" I was accessory to its capture," writes Du Chaillu, " and we were walking 
along in silence, when I heard a cry, and presently saw before me a female Gorilla, 



SKELETON OF THE GORILLA. 



38 APES AND MONKEYS. 



with a tiny baby Gorilla hanging to her breast and suckling. The mother was 
stroking the little one, and looking fondly down at it ; and the scene was so pretty 
and touching that I held my fire, and considered — like a soft-hearted fellow — 
whether I had not better leave them in peace. Before I could make up my mind, 
however, my hunter fired and killed the mother, who fell without a struggle. The 
mother fell, but the baby clung to her, and, with pitiful cries, endeavored to 
attract her attention. I came up, and when it saw me it hid its poor little head in 
its mother's breast. It could neither walk nor bite, so we could easily manage it ; 
and I carried it, while the men bore the mother on a pole. When we got to the 
village another scene ensued. The men put the body down, and I set the little 
fellow near. As soon as he saw his mother he crawled to her, and threw himself 
on her breast. He did not find his accustomed nourishment, and I saw that he 
perceived something was the matter with the old one. He crawled over her body, 
smelt at it, and gave utterance, from time to time, to a plaintive cry — ' Hoo, hoo, 
hoo ! ' which touched my heart. 1 could get no milk for this poor little fellow, 
who could not eat, and consequently died on the third day after he was caught. 
He seemed more docile than the other I had, for he already recognized my voice, 
and would try to hurry toward me when he saw me." 

The reason why the Gorilla flourishes in Western Equatorial Africa is probably 
because the great Carnivora, or beasts of prey, are not found in the dense forests 
and open prairies which cover the country. The jungle begins where the sea 
ceases, and then comes the virgin forest, extending some degrees north and south 
of the equator, and reaching unknown distances inland. There are no Lions, and 
but few Leopards, Hyenas and Jackals to be met with ; and the great African 
beasts— the Rhinocerides, Giraffes, Zebras, etc., absent. Snakes, Lizards and a 
vast insect world abound, and there are birds of prey. The Elephant is scarce, 
and, indeed, miles and miles may be traversed without hearing or seeing any signs 
of large animal life. But of all the mammals the Monkeys are the most numerous, 
and the Gorilla reigns supreme. He has the forest to himself, and but few enemies. 
He has companions, however, nearly of his own size, and whose description we 
owe to Du Chaillu, and they are so constructed, anatomically, that they link on, as 
it were, this greatest of all Apes with the well-known Chimpanzee, which is also 
indigenous to the Gorilla land. The new Apes are the Nschiego Mbouve, or 
Tschiego, and the Koolo-Kamba. 



CHAPTER III. 

MAN-SHAPED MONKEYS — CONTINUED. 

THE NSCHIECO MBOUVE which attains the height of four feet, and has 
a spread of arms of seven feet, was discovered by Du Chaillu in the Gaboon 
district. It is remarkable for building- very comfortable shelters, and this led to 
its being found ; for Du Chaillu, in one of his excursions, was trudging along rather 
tired of sport, when he saw a most singular looking shelter built on the branches 
of a tree. He thought it had been made by the natives, and asked whether the 
hunters had the habit of sleeping in the woods, but was told, to his great surprise, 
that it was a nest built by an Ape. Moreover, one of the natives told him that it 
was a curious creature, which had a bald head. 

Many of the nests were seen subsequently, and it was noticed that they were 
generally built about fifteen or twenty feet from the ground, and invariably on a 
tree which stands slightly apart from others, and which had no lower bough 
beneath the shelter. Occasionally they are to be seen at the height of fifty feet ; 
and it would appear that the altitude has something to do with the dread of the 
few flesh-eating and destructive beasts, such as the Leopard. The loneliest parts 
of the forest are chosen, for the animal is shy, and is very rarely seen, even by the 
negroes. The materials for the nest consist of leafy branches, and it is collected 
by the male and the female also, who tie them together, and to the tree, very 
neatly with twigs of the vine. The roof is so well constructed that it closely 
resembles human work, and it throws off the rain admirably, for it is neatly rounded 
at the top. During its construction, the female gathers the branches and vines, 
whilst the male builds; but afterward they do not occupy the same shelter, the 
male making another close by in a neighboring tree. The roof, which is usually 
some six or eight feet in diameter, is more or less dome-shaped, or something like 
an extended umbrella ; and the Nschiego gets under it and clasps the tree, or squats 
on a bough, so that its head is just beneath the under surface. The nests are not 
occupied permanently, and usually for not more than eight or ten days, for the 
Apes, living upon wild berries of a certain kind, select spots where they are 
plentiful, and leave them when the store is exhausted. Du Chaillu never saw many 
nests together, and he does not think the animals live in troops, but only in pairs. 
Sometimes a solitary nest is seen, inhabited by a Nschiego, whose silvery hair 

39 



40 APES AND MONKEYS. 



denotes its age, and probably its desire for solitude after a long- and trouble- 
some life. 

Being desirous of obtaining one of these shelter makers, as they were evidently 
new to science, Du Chaillu took every precaution to surprise his prey; but it is 
best to tell the story in his own words : 

" We traveled with great caution, not to alarm our prey, and had a hope that 
by singling out a shelter, and waiting till dark, we should find it occupied. In 
this hope we were not disappointed. Lving quite still in our concealment (which 
tried my patience sorely), we at last, just at dusk, heard the peculiar ' Hew, hew, 
hew,' which is the call of the male to his mate. We waited till it was quite dark, 
and then I saw what I had so longed all the weary afternoon to see. A Nschiego 
was sitting in his nest. His feet rested on the lower branch, his head reached 
quite into the little dome of the roof, and his arm was clasped firmly round the 
tree trunk. This is their way of sleeping. After gazing till I was tired through 
the gloom at my sleeping victim, two of us fired, and the unfortunate beast fell at 
our feet without a struggle, or even a groan. We built a fire at once, and made 
our camp in this place, that when daylight came I might first of all examine and 
slyn my prize. The poor Ape was hung up to be out of the way of insects, and 1 
fell asleep on my bed of leaves and grass, as pleased a man as the world could well 
hold. Next morning I had leisure to examine the Nschiego. 

" I was at once struck with points of difference between it and the Chimpanzee. 
It was smaller, and had a bald black head. This is its distinctive character. This 
specimen was three feet eleven inches high, or long. It was an adult. Its skin, 
where there is no hair, is black, and the thick breast and abdomen are covered 
with short and rather thin blackish hairs. On the lower part of the abdomen the 
hair is thinnest, but this is not perceived unless looked at carefully, as the skin is 
the color of the hair. On the legs the hair is of a dirty gray, mixed with black. 
The shoulders and back have black hair between two and three inches long, mixed 
with a little gray. The arms down to the wrist have also long black hair, but 
shorter than in the Gorilla. The hair is blacker, longer, glossier and thinner in 
general than that on the Gorilla, and the skin is not so tough. I noticed that the 
bare places, where the hair is worn off by contact with hard substances in sleeping, 
were different from the bare places which are so conspicuous on the common 
Chimpanzee. 

" It is not as powerful an animal as the Gorilla, its chest is not so large, but the 
arms and fingers are a little longer, and this is the case with the toes also. The 
nose is not so prominent, but the mouth is wider and the ears are larger. Its chin 
is rounder, and has more small hairs, and the side of the face is thinly covered with 
hair, commencing about the middle of the ear, and these would seem to be signs of 
an incipient beard and whiskers. The lower parts of the body are bare, and the 
skin is white there." 



THE NSCHIEGO MBOUVE. 



41 



Apparently the disposition and temper of the Nschiego are better than those 
of the Gorilla ; it is less ferocious, and is even docile in captivity. It has not the 
hideous expression of the great Ape, for there is something of a forehead above 
the ridge of the eyebrow, and there are no great crests on the head, which is 
rounder than that of the Gorilla. The teeth are rather smaller, but are of the same 
number. The height is less than that of the female Gorilla, as a rule; and the 
male of this bald kind is larger than its female ; whilst the little young ones differ 




THE NSCHIEGO MBOUVE. 



in their color from both, being white. Finally, it would appear that there are hard 
callous pads on the back of the fingers, that the hand is larger than the feet, and 
that the tips of the fingers reach a little below the knee. 

Subsequently he had a very good opportunity of substantiating his statements 
about the nests. 

" On our way down, at sunset of the third day, we heard the call of a Nschiego 
Mbouve. I immediately caused my men to lie down, and was just getting into a 
hiding place myself, when I saw, in the branches of a tree at a little distance, the 



42 APES AND MONKEYS. 



curious nest or bower of this Ape; hard by, on another tree, was another shelter. 
We crept up within shot of this nest, and then waited, for I was determined to 
see once more the precise manner in which this animal goes to rest. We lay flat 
on the ground, and covered ourselves with leaves and bush, scarcely daring to 
breathe, lest the approaching animal should hear us. From time to time I heard 
the calls. There were evidently two, probably male and female. Just as the sun 
was setting, I saw an animal approach the tree. It ascended by a hand-over-hand 
movement, with great rapidity, crept carefully under the shelter, seated itself on 
the crotch made by a projecting bough, its feet and haunches resting on this 
bough ; then it put one arm about the trunk of the tree for security. 

"Thus, I suppose, they rest all night; and this posture accounts for some 
singular abrasions of hair on the side of the Nschiego Mbouve. At a little distance 
off I saw another shelter made for the mate. No sooner was it seated that it began 
again to utter its call. It was answered ; and I began to have the hope that I 
should shoot both animals, when an unlucky motion of one of my men roused the 
suspicions of the Ape in the tree. It began to prepare for descent, and, unwilling 
to risk the loss of this one, I fired. It fell to the ground dead. It proved to be a 
male, with the face and hands entirely black. As we were not in haste, I made my 
men cut down the trees which contained the nests of these Apes. I found them 
made precisely as I have before described, and as I have always found them, of 
long branches and leaves, laid one over the other very carefully and thickly, so as 
to render the structure capable of shedding off water. The branches were fast- 
ened to the tree in the middle of the structure by means of wild vines and creepers, 
which are so abundant in these forests. The projecting limb on which the Ape 
perched was about four feet long. There remains no doubt in my mind that 
these nests are made by the animal to protect it from the nightly rains. When 
the leaves begin to dry to that degree that the structure no longer throws off 
water, the owner builds a new shelter, and this happens generally once in ten or 
fifteen days. At this rate the Nschiego Mbouve is an animal of no little industry." 

THE KOOLO-KAMBA. This kind of Troglodyte is celebrated for saying 
koola-koolo over and over again as its favorite cry, for having a verv extraordin- 
ary frog-like figure, and for being one of those creatures which are exceedingly 
interesting to zoologists, because they are, as it were, half one thing and half 
another. A neighbor of the great Apes already noticed, it associates also with 
the common Chimpanzee, in the quiet forests of Western Equatorial Africa. In 
one of these Du Chaillu first saw it, and he describes his discovery as follows: — 

"We had hardly got clear of the Bashikoway ants and their bites when my 
ears were saluted by the singular cry of the Ape I was after. 'Koola-koolo! koola- 
koolo! ' * it said several times. Gambo and I raised our eyes, and saw, high up on 
a tree branch, a large Ape. We both fired at once, and the next moment the poor 



h Koolo is the cry, and Kamba means " to say." 



THE KOOLO-KAMBA. 



43 



beast fell to the ground with a heavy crash. [ rushed up, anxious to see if indeed, 
I had a new animal. I saw in a moment that it was neither a Nschiego Mbouve, 
a Chimpanzee, nor a Gorilla. Again I had a happy day — marked for ever with 
red ink in my calender. The animal was a full-grown male, four feet three inches 
high, and was less powerfully built than the male Gorilla, but as powerful as 
either the Chimpanzee or Nschiego Mobuve. When it was brought into Obindji, all 
the people, at once exclaimed, 'That is Koolo-Kamba.' Then I asked them about 
the other Apes I already knew, but for these they had other names and did not at 



^m 




THE KOOLO-KAMBA. 



all confound the species. For all these reasons 1 was assured that my prize was 
indeed a new animal; a variety at least of those before known. The Koolo-Kamba 
has several distinctive marks: a very round head, whiskers running quite around the 
face and below the chin; the face is round, the cheek-bones prominent, the eyes 
sunken, and the jaws not very prominent, less so than in any of the Apes. The 
hair is black and long on the arm, which was, however, partly bare. The Koola is 
the Ape of all the great Apes now known, which most nearly approaches man in 
the structure of its head; for the capacity of the cranium is somewhat greater, in 



44 APES AND MONKEYS. 



proportion to the animal's size, than in either the Gorilla or the Nschiego Mbouve. 
Of its habits these people could tell me nothing-, except that farther in the interior 
it was found more frequently, and that it |was like the Gorilla, very shy and hard 
of approach." They are rare animals, and Du Chaillu met with this one only ; it 
was as large as a female Gorilla, and from its structure was evidently a great 
climber. 

On looking at the head of the Koolo-Kamba, one is struck with the large ears, 
which are larger than those of the Apes already described, and almost as large, 
but less detached, as those of the Chimpanzee. The skull is globular, and with a 
low contracted forehead receding behind the brow crests; but there are only faint 
ridges on its sides, although the muscles of the jaw are large, and they come from 
the sides of the skull. The head is very hairy , and the face, which is very pro- 
jecting in front, is black in color. It is rendered very tigerish and ugly by the flat 
nose merging into a wide, thick, projecting upper lip, without any furrow ; and 
the mouth looks like a wide slit, there being no chin on account of the pouting 
nature of the great lips. 

THE SOKO. both as regards its name, description, and habits, we owe to 
Livingstone ; and the stories which he heard of it from the natives, in the strange 
country to the west of the great lake Tanganyika, must have whiled away many 
a weary hour during his ill-health and gradual loss of energy. 

The first notice of it is curious enough, and occurs in his last journals. They 
were in want of rain, and he writes: "A Soko alive, was believed to be a good 
charm for rain, so one was caught; and the captor had the ends of two fingers and 
toes bitten off. The Soko, or Gorilla, always tries to bite off these parts, and has 
been known to overpower a young man, and leave him without the ends of fingers 
and toes. I saw the nest of one; it was a poor contrivance— no more architectural 
skill shown than in the nest of the cushet dove. 

"The Soko is represented by some to be extremely knowing, successfully 
stalking men and women while at their work ; kidnapping children, and running 
up trees with them; he seems to be amused by the sight of the young native in his 
arms, but comes down when tempted by a bunch of bananas, and as he lifts that, 
drops the child ; the young Soko, in such a case would cling closely to the arm-pit 
of the elder. One man was cutting out honey from a tree, and naked, when a Soko 
suddenly appeared and caught him, then let him go; another man was hunting, and 
missed in his attempt to stab a Soko; it seized the spear, and broke it, then grappled 
with the man who called to his companions, 'Soko has caught me!' The Soko bit off 
the ends of his fingers and escaped unharmed. Both men are now alive at Bambarre. 

"The Soko is so cunning, and has such sharp eyes that no one can stalk him 
in front without being seen; hence ; when shot it is always in the back, when sur- 
rounded by men and nets, he is generally speared in the back, too, otherwise he is 
not a very formidable beast. He is nothing, as compared in power of damaging 



THE SOKO. 



45 



his assailant, to a Leopard or Lion, but is more like a man unarmed, for it does not 
occur to him to use his canine teeth, which are long and formidable. Numbers 
of them came down in the forest, within a hundred yards of our camp, and would 
be unknown but for giving tongue like Foxhounds; this is their nearest approach 
to speech. A man hoeing, was stalked by a Soko, and seized; he roared out, but 
the Soko giggled and grinned, and left him as if he had done it in play. A child, 
caught up by a Soko, is often abused by being pinched, and scratched, and let fall. 

"The Soko kills the Leopard 
occasionally, by seizing both 
paws and biting them, so as to 
disable them; he then goes up a 
tree, groans over his wounds, 
and sometimes recovers, while 
the Leopard dies. At other 
times both Soko and Leopard 
die. The Lion kills him at once, 
and sometimes tears his limbs 
off, but does not eat him. The 
Soko eats no flesh, small bananas 
are his dainties, but not maize. 
His food consists of wild fruits, 
which abound, and of these one 
is like large sweet sop, but indif- 
erent in taste. The Soko brings 
forth at times twins. A very 
large Soko was seen by Mo- 
hamad's hunters, sitting picking 
his nails; they tried to stalk him, 
but he vanished. Some Man- 
yuema think that their buried 
dead rise as Sokos, and one was 
killed with holes in his ears, as 
if he had been a man. He is 
very strong, and fears guns, but 
not spears. He never catches women. 

"Sokos collect together, and make a drumming noise, some say with hollow 
trees, then burst forth into loud yells, which are well imitated by the natives' 
embryonic music. If a man has no spear, the Soko goes away satisfied; but if 
wounded, he seizes the wrist, lops off the fingers and spits them out, slaps the 
cheeks of his victim, and bites without breaking the skin; he draws out a spear 
(but never uses it), and takes some leaves and stuffs them into his wound to staunch 
the blood; he does not seek an encounter with an armed man. He sees women 




A YOUNG SOKO. 



46 APES AND MONKEYS. 



do him no harm, and never molests them ; a man without a spear is nearly safe 
from him. They live in communities of about ten, each having his own female; 
an intruder from another camp is beaten off with their fists and loud yells. If one 
tries to seize the female of another, he is caught on the ground, and all unite in 
boxing and biting the offender. A male often carries a child, especially if they are 
passing from one patch of forest to another over a grass}' space ; he then gives it 
to the mother." 

THE CHIMPANZEE comes next in the descending order of the scale of 
beings, and completes the number of the kinds of these man-shaped Apes of Equa- 
torial Africa. It is this animal, the young of which are celebrated for their gentle 
fun, romping play, good climbing, and their ability to imitate many human habits — 
clothes-wearing, tobacco-smoking and tea-drinking especially. It is the Chimpanzee 
of Chimpanzees, the young of which have such very human-looking faces and most 
babj--like skulls. Being covered for the most part, and especially on the top and 
sides of the head, with long black hairs, it is called the Black Chimpanzee. 

It was a sight worth seeing to be present in the Monkey House of the Zoo- 
logical Gardens, in London, when the keeper paid an early morning visit to his 
attached friend, the Chimpanzee. If he was not quite awake, or lazily inclined, 
and snugly covered up in his little wooden house, and the keeper called him, a 
commotion was heard inside, and then a round little figure with a large head came 
tumbling out, and rushed to the iron wicket. He creeps along at a great rate on 
all-fours, but the body is half erect, for the fore limbs are long, and the knuckles, 
or rather the back parts of the second joints of the fingers, are allowed to touch 
the ground and support the frame in front, whilst the elbows are kept straight. 
The hind legs being short, move one after the other as in a canter, and it is readily 
noticed that although the feet touch the ground on their outer edges, they can rest 
flat on the soles. 

There is much joyful recognition, and after he has put his arms around the 
keeper's neck, he enjoys being tickled and laid on his back in the straw. Making 
grunts and little laughs, he shows his fine set of teeth, and his fine hazel-colored 
eyes twinkle with fun. Then he rushes off, tumbling head over heels, scampers 
over the straw, and with a jump clasps one of the horizontal wooden bars in the 
cage, and swings himself up and on to it with an ease and grace which many a 
gymnast might envy. Running along this, and just balancing himself with the 
assistance of the back of his hand, he nears a rope, and then, after seizing it, swings 
with arms out at full length, now catching hold of others or of the wire lattice- 
work with his feet and toe-thumb, or suddenly coming to the ground with a great 
bounce. This is usually preparatory to coming to the spectators, and he then 
squats down, folds his arms, and moves his shoulders from side to side in a quick 
and restless manner. Another scamper brings him to his house on the ground 
floor, into which he looks, and then taking a lot of biscuits, he gives a jump on to 




ORANG-UTAN AND CHIMPANZEES IN THE BERLIN AQUARIUM. 
47 



48 APES AND MONKEYS. 



its shelving top, sits down, and begins to eat. He sits upright enough, and puts 
the biscuit into his mouth, but rather clumsily. He does not take it between the 
tips of his fingers and the thumb, but between the thumb and the side of the first 
finger, for the thumb is short. Hence, as the food disappears, he appears to be 
cramming the knuckle of his first finger into his mouth. 

One is struck with the color of the face, which is nearly hairless, for the tint 
of its skin is a dirty yellow-ochre ; but it is relieved by the beautiful white teeth, 
the hazel eyes, and the long hair which comes down from the top of the head in 
front of the ear like a lock. The upper lip has no furrow running down from the 
small and flat nose, but it is very large, and the mouth looks like a slit in the face 
when both lips are together. He has distinct eyelids ; and when he sits and looks 
forward, the chin reaches below the top of the breast and hides the neck. The 
palm of the hands is flesh-colored, or darker, and the foot looks very strange, for 
the hair is long over the ankle and very black, and it ceases suddenly, so that the 
heel and all the sides and the sole are naked and flesh-tinted. The absence of hair 
on the face — there being a little straggling beard only — is possibly an ornament, 
and it is noticed in many monkeys ; but its absence from the under part of the 
hand and foot, of course, is of use, for it gives a greater power of grasp and a finer 
sense of touch. The front hair comes to a peak over the forehead, and the curve 
on either side is very graceful ; then it covers a broad, low head, which looks very 
big behind and decidedly over-burdened with two great ears, larger than those of 
the Gorilla, and which are close neighbors to the high shoulders. Long black 
hair, with the ears peering through, covers all the back and sides of the head and 
the wide shoulders and very short neck, and is continued down the back, which 
shows no sign of a waist, and only becomes smaller just above the thighs. 

At first sight there is something very human about the Chimpanzee; it looks 
like a very old child, and doubtless this is increased by its gentle habits and 
amiability ; and there is every apology to be made for the early geographers and 
anatomists, who called it the " Pigmie." 

One of the first living Chimpanzees which was brought over took some strange 
dislikes to people. When it was brought on board the ship it would give its hand 
to be shaken by some, but refused it to others of the sailors with marks of anger, 
and it speedily became very familiar with the crew, except with a boy, to whom it 
never became reconciled. When the seamen's mess was brought on deck, it was a 
constant attendant ; it would go round and embrace each person, while it uttered 
loud yells, and then seated itself to enjoy the repast. If it was pleased at any 
favorite morsel, or if a piece of sweetmeat was given to it, satisfaction was 
expressed by a sound like a " hem," in a grave tone ; but if it was made angry or 
vexed, it would bark like a dog or cry like a child, and scratch itself most vehe- 
mently. It was active and cheerful in warm latitudes, but it became languid as it 
left the Torrid Zone, so that a blanket had to be given it. 



THE CHIMPANZEE. 



49 



Bamboo, a Chimpanzee, the subject of the following sketch, by Lieut. Sayers, 
" was purchased from a Mandingo, at Sierra Leone, who related that he had 
captured him in the Bullom country some months before, having first shot the 
mother, on which occasions the young ones never fail to remain by their wounded 
parents. On becoming mine, he was delivered over to a black boy, my servant, 
and in a few days became so attached to him as to be exceedingly troublesome, 
screaming and throwing himself into the most violint passion if he attempted to 
leave him for a moment. He evinced also a most strange affection for clothes, never 




THE CHIMPANZEE. 

omitting an opportunity of possessing himself of the first garment he came across, 
whenever he had the means of entering my apartment. He carried it immediately 
to the piazza, where invariably he seated himself on it with a self-satisfied grunt; 
nor would he resign it without a hard fight, and, on being worsted, exhibited every 
symptom of the greatest anger. Observing this strange fancy, I procured him a 
piece of cotton cloth, which, much to the amusement of all who saw him, he was 
never without, carrying it with him wherever he went, nor could any temptation 
induce him to resign it even for a moment. Totally unacquainted with their mode 
4 



50 APES AND MONKEYS. 

of living- in the wild state, I adopted the following method of feeding him, which 
has appeared to succeed admirably : In the morning, at eight o'clock, he received 
a piece of bread, about the size of a small loaf, steeped in water or milk and water; 
about two, a couple of bananas or plantains ; and before he retired for the night, a 
banana, orange, or slice of pineapple. The banana appeared to be his favorite 
fruit; fo r it he would forsake all other viands, and if not gratified, would exhibit 
the utmost petulance. On one occasion I deemed it necessary to refuse him one, 
considering that he had already eaten a sufficiency, upon which he threw himself 
into the most violent passion, and uttering a piercing cry, knocked his head with 
such violence against the wall as to throw himself on his back, then ascending a 
chest which was near, wildly threw his arms into the air and precipitated himself 
from it. These actions so alarmed me for his safety that I gave up the contest, and 
on doing so he evinced the greatest satisfaction at his victory, uttering for several 
minutes the most expressive grunts and cries; in short, he exhibited, on all 
occasions when his will was opposed, the impatient temper of a spoilt child ; but 
even in the height of passion I never observed any disposition to bite or otherwise 
ill-treat his keeper or myself. 

" Although he would never object to being caressed or nursed by even a 
stranger, yet I never saw him evince the slightest disposition to make the acquaint- 
ance of any other animal. At the time he came into my possession I had two Patas 
Monkeys, and thinking they might become acquainted, I placed Mr. Bamboo in 
the same apartment, where he resided for five months, yet I never saw the least 
desire on his part to become even friendly; on the contrary, he showed evident 
anger and dislike at their approach. This strange attachment to the human race, 
and manifest dislike to all others, I have always considered one of the most extra- 
ordinary features of this genus. His cunning was also remarkable. On all 
occasions when he thought he was unobserved, he would not fail to steal every- 
thing within his reach, for no other apparent purpose than to gratify a propensity 
for thieving; did he, however, even think you were looking at him, he would wait 
his opportunity with the greatest patience before he commenced depredation. On 
being left by himself in his piazza he would invariably seat himself on the window- 
sill, which was the highest point he could attain, and commanded a view of the 
barrack yard as well as the interior of my bedroom ; but at sunset he would 
descend, enter a washing-tub, which he had of his own accord chosen as a sleeping 
place, and remain there all night; as soon, however, as the sun rose, he would 
never fail to occupy his favorite position on the window ledge. From this, I 
should say, that trees are ascended by the Chimpanzee merely for observation or 
food, and that they live principally on the ground. Bamboo, at the time of pur- 
chase, appeared to be about fourteen months old, and from what I could learn 
from the natives, they do not reach their full growth till between nine and ten 
years of age ; which, if true, brings them extremely near the human species, as the 
boy or girl of West Africa, at thirteen or fourteen years old, is quite as much a man 



THE CHIMPANZEE. 



51 



or woman as those of nineteen or twenty in our more northern clime. Their height, 
when full grown, is said to be between four and five feet; indeed, I was credibly 
informed that a male Chimpanzee, which had been shot in the neighborhood and 
brought into Free Town, measured four feet five inches in length, and was so 
heavy as to form a very fair load for two men, who carried him on a pole between 
them. The natives say that in their wild state their strength is enormous, and that 
they have seen them snap boughs off the trees with the greatest apparent ease, 




which the united strenght of two men could scarcely bend. The natives also 
affirmed that they always travel in strong bodies, armed with sticks, which they 
use with much dexterity. They are exceedingly watchful ; and the first one who 
discovers the approach of a stranger utters a protracted cry, much resembling that 
of a human being in the greatest distress. The first time I heard it I was much 
startled ; the animal was apparently not more than thirty paces distant, but had it 
been but five I could not have seen it, from the tangled nature of the jungle, and I 
certainly conceived that such sounds could only have proceeded from a human 
being, who hoped to gain assistance by his cries from some terrible and instant 



52 APES AND 'MONKEYS. 



death. The native who was with me laid his hand upon my shoulder, and pointing 
suspiciously to the bush, said : ' Massa, Baboo live there ! ' and in a few minutes 
the wood appeared alive with them, their cries resembling the barking of dogs. 
My guide informed me that the cry first heard was to inform the troop of my 
approach, and that they would all immediately leave the trees, or any exalted 
situation that might expose them to view, and seek the bush ; he also showed 
evident fear, and entreated me not to proceed any further in that direction. The 
plantations of bananas, pawpaws and plantains, which the natives usually intermix 
with their rice, constituting the favorite food of the Chimpanzee, accounts for their 
being so frequent in the neighborhood of rice fields. The difficulty of procuring 
live specimens of this genus arises principally, I should say, from the superstitions 
of the natives concerning them, who believe they possess the power of ' witching.' " 

A most interesting little male Chimpanzee was obtained from the natives of 
the Gambia coast some years since, and became famous in London for its great 
intelligence and human-like conduct. His mother was shot when he was about 
twelve months old, about 120 miles from the sea ; and after being well taken care of 
he was sent to England on board ship, where he had a free range of the rigging 
and decks, and where he made himself much liked. A distinguished zoologist, Mr. 
Broderip, visited him in the Zoological Gardens after he had undergone some 
tuition, and describes what he saw, as follows : 

" I saw him for the first time in the kitchen belonging to the keepers' apart- 
ments, dressed in a little Guernsey shirt, or banyan jacket. He was sitting child- 
like in the lap of a good old woman, to whom he clung whenever she made show 
of putting him down. His aspect was mild and passive, but that of a little 
withered old man, and his large eyes, hairless and crimpled visage, and man-like 
ears, surmounted by the black hair of his head, rendered the resemblance very 
striking, notwithstanding the depressed nose and the projecting mouth. He had 
already become very fond of his good old nurse, and she had evidently become 
attached to her nursling, although they had only been acquainted for three or four 
days, and it was with difficulty that he permitted her to go away to do her work 
in another part of the building. On her lap he was perfectly at his ease, and it 
seemed to me that he considered her as occupying the place of his mother. He 
was constantly reaching up with his hand to the fold of her neckerchief, though 
when he did so she checked him, saying, ' No, Tommy, you must not pull the pin 
out.' When not otherwise occupied, he would sit quietly in her lap, pulling his 
toes about with his fingers, with the same passive air as a human child exhibits 
when amusing himself in the same manner. 1 wished to examine his teeth ; and 
when his nurse, in order to make him open his mouth, threw him back on her arm 
and tickled him just as she would a child, the caricature was complete. 

" I offered him my ungloved hand. He took it mildly in his, with a manner 
equally exempt from forwardness and fear, examined it with his eyes, and per- 
ceiving a ring on one of my fingers, submitted that, and that only, to a very cautious 



THE CHIMPANZEE. 53 



and gentle examination with his teeth, so as not to leave any mark on the ring. I 
then offered him my other hand with the glove on. This he felt, looked at it, 
turned it about, and then tried it with his teeth. At length it became necessary 
for his kind nurse to leave him, and after much remonstrance on his part she put 
him on the floor. He would not leave her, however, and walked nearly erect by 
her side, holding by her gown just like a child. At last she got him away by 
offering him a peeled raw potato, which he ate with great relish, holding it in his 
right hand. His keeper, who is very attentive to him, then made his appearance, 
and spoke to him. Tommy evidently made an attempt to speak, gesticulating as 
he stood erect, protruding his lips, and making a hoarse noise like ' hoo ! hoo!' 
He soon showed a disposition to play with me, jumping on his lower extremities 
opposite to me like a child, and looking at me with an expression indicating a wish 
for a game at romps. I confess I complied, and a capital game we had. On 
another occasion, and when he had become familiar with me, I caused, in the 
midst of his play, a looking-glass to be brought and held before him. His attention 
was instantly and strongly arrested; from the utmost activity he became immov- 
ably fixed, steadfastly gazing at the mirror with eagerness, and something like 
wonder depicted in his face. He at length looked up at me, then again gazed at 
the glass. The tip of my fingers appeared on one side as I held it ; he put his 
hands and then his lips to them, then looked behind the glass, and finally passed 
his hands behind it, evidently to feel if there were anything substantial there. I 
presented him with a cocoanut, to the shell of which some bark was still adhering; 
the tender bud was just beginning to shoot forth — this he immediately bit off and 
ate. He then stripped off some of the bark with his teeth, moving it by the crust 
of adhering fibers round his head, darted it down, and repeatedly jumped on it 
with all his weight. A hole was bored in one of the eyes, and the nut again given 
to him, and he immediately held it up with the aperture downward, applied his 
mouth to it, and sucked away at what milk there was with great glee. As I was 
making notes with a paper and pencil, he came up and looked at me inquisitively, 
testing the pencil with his teeth when he had it given to him. A trial was made 
of the little fellow's courage ; for when his attention was directed elsewhere, a 
hamper containing a large snake, called Python, was brought in and placed on a 
chair near the dresser. The lid was raised, and the basket in which the snake was 
enveloped was opened, and soon after Tommy came gamboling that way. As he 
jumped and danced along the dresser toward the basket he was all gaiety and life; 
suddenly he seemed to be taken aback, stopped, and cautiously advanced toward 
the basket, peered or rather craned over it, and instantly, with a gesture of horror 
and aversion and the cry of ' hoo ! hoo ! ' recoiled from the detested object, jumped 
back as far as he could, and then sprang to his keeper for protection. Tommy 
does not like confinement, and when he is shut up in his cage, the violence with 
which he pulls at and shakes the door is very great, and shows considerable 
strength ; but I have never seen him use this exertion against any other part of the 



54 APES AND MONKEYS. 



cage, though his keeper has endeavored to induce him to do so, in order to see 
whether he would make the distinction. When at liberty he is extremely playful ; 
and in his high jinks, I saw him toddle into a corner where a litter of very young 
pups and their mother were housed, and lay hold of them, till the snarling of the 
mother and the cries of the keeper made him put the pup down. He then climbed 
up to the top of the cage where the Marmosets were, and jumped furiously upon 
it, evidently to astonish the inmates, who huddled together, looking up at the 
dreadful creature over their heads. Then he went to a window, opened it and 
looked out. I was afraid that he might make his escape ; but the words ' Tommy, 
No ! ' pronounced by the keeper in a mild but firm tone, caused him to shut the 
window and to come away. He is, in truth, a most docile and affectionate animal, 
and it is impossible not to be taken with the expressive gestures and looks with 
which he courts your good opinion, and throws himself upon you for protection 
against annoyance." Whether they grow cross and savage as they get old is not 
known, for no adults have been kept in captivity, but as this is usual in other mon- 
keys, it is probable that their interesting time of life is that of childhood, and that 
when the age of fun and tricks has passed there is not much else but brutality left. 
These man-shaped Apes, the Gorilla, the Nschiego Mbouve, the Koola Kamba, 
the Soko, and the Chimpanzee, form a group of beings which is separated from all 
others by anatomical differences. Their home is in Equatorial Africa, from the 
Western Sea to the Great Lakes near the eastern side of the Continent, and none 
of the kinds composing it have ever been found out of this range. Their bones 
have not been found in caves or in the state of fossils anywhere, so they must be 
regarded as essentially African. The group clings to forest and jungle, and its 
members lead very much the same kind of lives, for they are all vegetarians, liking 
quietude, and either roaming singly or in pairs, or living in troops. There is no 
evidence whatever that any of these have ever wandered ; and it must be admitted 
that they have lived where they are now found every since the country has been 
as it is, as regards its physical geography and peculiar climate. As regards their 
anatomical distinctness from other beings, they may be separated from man on 
the one hand, and from the Monkeys on the other. They are linked together as a 
group by many resemblances in their construction, although there are differences 
enough to distinguish kind from kind. From man they one and all differ in the 
shape of the head, the size of the brain case, the nature of the palate, the shape of 
the jaws, and in the last lower molar teeth and tooth spaces. Their head ridges, 
the shape and length of their limbs, and the nature of their thumbs and toe-thumbs 
are very distinctive. The great air pouches, the shape of the chest, the extra ribs, 
and the shape of the hip-girdle, cause them to differ much from man; and their 
brain is, as it were, dwarfed and infantile. 

THE ORANG-UTAN has a general resemblance to the Chimpanzee, and is a 
native of Borneo and Sumatra. Its height is about four and a half feet, though it 



THE ORANG-UTAN. 



55 



sometimes exceeds six feet. It is covered with dark brown hair, the skin seen 
through it having a bluish tint. The face is nearly bare. The body is large and 
strong, the belly full, and the movement oscillating. The eyes are fringed with 
lashes; the nose is on a line with the face; the mouth is projecting; the lips thin, 
capable of great elongation, and endowed with a peculiar mobility; the ears small 
and resembling those of man. The muzzle grows more acute with age, and the 
disposition of the animal often becomes fierce and savage at maturity. It is 
incapable of walking erect, but moves in a hobbling manner by putting the knuckles 
of its hands to the ground, and drawing its body forward between them. In a 
state of nature it probably seldom moves along on the ground — its whole config- 
uration showing its fitness for climbing trees and clinging to the branches. In 
sitting on a flat surface it turns its legs under it; in sitting on a branch of a tree, 
it rests on its heels, its bodv pressed against its thighs. 

The Orangs generally occupy the 
marshy districts, covered with dense for- 
ests and rank vegetation. They are soli- 
tary in their habits, living inactive in the 
wilds, away from the resorts of man. Dur- 
ing the day they move about in the upper 
branches of the forest ; towards evening 
they descend and find shelter from the cold 
and wind in the thick foliage of the palms 
and other similar trees. Sometimes they 
make a sort of platform of sticks, and cover 
it with leaves, which becomes their resting 
place. The old males are especially 
dreaded by the inhabitants, as each one 
appropriates a district to himself, and 
attacks with fury any one who invades it. 
tables, though they devour eggs and small birds. 

Rajah Brooke, whose name will always be associated with Borneo, took great 
interest in the Orang-utan hunting, principal!)' with a view to decide how many 
kinds there were ; and his first impressions on killing his first large one were 
excited by the prominent peculiarities just noticed. The first male he killed was 
seated lazily on a tree, and when the people approached he only took the trouble 
to hide behind the trunk, peeping first on one side and then on the other, and 
"dodging," as the Rajah did the same. He was wounded in the wrist, and 
afterwards was despatched. The Rajah wrote as follows:-"Great was our triumph 
as we gazed on the huge animal dead at our feet, and proud we were of having shot 
the first Orang we had seen, and shot him in his native woods, in a Borneo forest 
hitherto untrodden by European feet. We were struck with the length of his 
arms, the enormous neck, the expanse of face, which altogether gave the im- 




YOUNG ORANG-UTAN. 



Their food consists chiefly of vege- 



56 APES AND MONKEYS. 



pression of great height, whereas it was only great power. The hair was long, 
reddish, and thin; the face remarkably broad and fleshy, and on each side, in the 
place of a man's whiskers, were the callosities, or rather, fleshy protuberances, 
which I was so desirous to see, and which were nearly two inches in thickness. 
The ears were small and well shaped, the nose quite flat, the mouth prominent, the 
lips thick, the eyes small and roundish, the teeth large and discolored, the face 
and hands black — these last being very poweful. This animal was four feet one 
inch in height, and its fore-limb was three feet five inches and three-quarters in 
length ; the width of the face, moreover, being as much as one foot one inch. 

"While the fore-limb was so long, the lower limb, from the hip to the heel, 
only measured one foot nine inches; and hence there is great disproportion 
between the limbs, the legs and feet appearing dwarfed in comparison." 

The Rajah considered the Orangs to be as dull and slothful as one could 
conceive, and on no occasion, when pursuing them, did they move so fast as to 
preclude his keeping pace with them easily through a moderately clear forest, 
aud even when obstructions below (such as wading up to the neck) enabled 
them to get away some distance they were sure to stop and allow the hunters to 
come up. He never observed any attempt at defiance, and the wood which some- 
times rattled down about his ears was broken by their weight, and not thrown 
down, as some people imagine to be the case. 

If pushed to extremity the large male, with crests on its head, could be 
formidable ; and one unfortunate man, who, with a party, was trving to catch a 
large one alive, lost two of his fingers, besides being severely bitten in the face, 
whilst the animal finally beat off its pursuers. When the natives wish to catch an 
adult, they cut down a circle of trees round the one on which he is seated, and 
then fell that also, close before he can recover himself, and try to bind him. 
He also notices the little dread the natives have of them, and that they form seats 
rather than nests in the trees. 

A Mr. Wallace had an opportunity of observing the nest, or rather nest- 
making, which is performed by these animals when severely wounded. ''He was 
called by a Chinaman working in Borneo to shoot a Mias (the native name for the 
Orang), which, he said, was on a tree close by his house at the coal-mines. Arriv- 
ing at the place, we had some difficulty in finding the animal, as he had gone off 
into the jungle, which was very rocky and difficult to traverse. At last we found 
him up a very high tree, and could see that he was a male of the largest size. As 
soon as I had fired, he moved higher up the tree, and while he was doing so I 
fired again ; and we then saw that one arm was broken. He had now reached the 
very highest part of an immense tree, and immediately began breaking off boughs 
all around, and laying them across and across to make a nest. It was very interest- 
ing to see how well he had chosen his place, and how rapidly he stretched out his un- 
wounded arm in every direction, breaking oft good sized boughs with the greatest 
ease, and laying them back across each other, so that in a few minutes he had 



THE ORANG-UTAN. 



57 



formed a compact mass of foliage, which entirely concealed him from our sight. 
He was evidently going to pass the night here, and would probably get away early 
next morning, if not wounded too severely. I therefore fired agian several times 
in hopes of making him leave his nest; but, though I felt sure I had hit him, as at 
each shot he moved a little, he would not go away. At length he raised himself 
up so that half his body was visible, and then gradually sank down, his head alone 
remaining on the edge of the nest. I now felt sure he was dead, and tried to per- 




suade the Chinaman and his companion to cut down the tree; but it was a very 
large one and they had been at work all day so nothing would induce them to 
attempt it. The next morning, at daybreak, I came to the place, and found that 
the Mias was evidently dead, as his head was visible in exactly the same position 
as before." 

Mr. Wallace, who described how it forms a nest when wounded, states, "that 
it uses a similar one to sleep in almost every night. This is placed low down, 



58 APES AXD MONKEYS. 



however, on a small tree, not more than from twenty to fifty feet from the ground, 
probably because it is warmer and less exposed to wind than higher up. Each 
Mias is said to make a fresh one for himself every night ; but I should think that 
is hardly probable, or their remains would be much more abundant ; for though I 
saw several about the coal mines, there must have been many Orangs about every 
day, and in a year their deserted nests would become very numerous. The Dyaks 
say that when it is very wet the Mias covers himself over with leaves of Pandanus, 
or large ferns, which has perhaps led to the story of his making a hut in the trees. 
The Orang does not leave his bed till the sun has well risen and has dried up the 
dew upon the leaves. He feeds all through the middle of the day, but seldom 
returns to the same tree two days running. The)' do not seem much alarmed at 
man. as they often stared down upon me for several minutes, and they only moved 
away slowly to an adjacent tree. After seeing one, I have often had to go half a 
mile or more to fetch my gun, and in nearly every case have found it on the same 
tree, or within a hundred yards, when I returned. I never saw two full grown 
animals together, but both males and females are sometimes accompanied by half 
grown young ones, while at other times three or four young ones were seen in 
company. Their food consists almost exclusively of fruit, with occasional leaves, 
buds and young shoots. They seem to prefer unripe fruits, some of which were 
very sour, others intensely bitter, particularly the large red fleshy arillus, or rind 
of one, which seemed an especial favorite. In other cases they eat only the small 
seed of a large fruit, and they almost always waste and destroy more than they 
eat, so that there is a continual rain of rejected portions below the tree they are 
feeding on. The Durion is an especial favorite, and quantities of this delicious 
fruit are destroyed wherever it grows surrounded by forest, but they will not cross 
clearings to get at them. It seems wonderful how the animal can tear open this 
fruit, the outer covering of which is so thick and tough, and closely covered with 
strong conical spines. It probably bites off a few of these first, and then making a 
small hole, tears open the fruit with its powerful fingers. The Mias rarely descends 
to the ground, except when pressed by hunger, it seeks for succulent shoots by the 
river side; or, in very dry weather, has to search after water, of which it generally 
finds sufficient in the hollows of leaves. Once only 1 saw two half-grown Orangs 
on the ground, in a dry hollow at the foot of the Simunjou Hill. They were 
playing together, standing erect, and grasping each other by the arms. It may be 
safely stated, however, that the Orang never walks erect, unless when using its hands 
to support itself by branches overhead, or when attacked. Representations of its 
walking with a stick are entirely imaginary. The Dyaks all declare that the Mias 
is never attacked by any animal in the forest, with two rare exceptions ; and the 
accounts I received of these are so curious, that I give them nearly in the words 
of my informants, old Dyak chiefs, who had lived all their lives in the places where 
the animal is most abundant. The first of whom I inquired said : ' No animal is 
strong enough to hurt the Mias, and the only creature he ever fights with is the 



THE ORANG-UTAN. 



59 



Crocodile. When there is no fruit in the jungle, he goes to seek food on the banks 
of the river, where there are plenty of young shoots that he likes, and fruits that 
grow close to the water. Then the Crocodile sometimes tries to seize him, but the 
Mias gets upon him, and beats him with his hands and feet, and tears him, and kills 
him." He added that he had once seen such a fight, and that he believes that the 
Mias is always the victor. My next informant was the Orang Kaya, or chief of 
the Balow Dvaks, on the Simunjou River. He said: ' The Mias has no enemies; 
no animals dare attack it but the Crocodile and the Python. He always kills the 
Crocodile by main strength, standing upon it, pulling open its jaws, and ripping 
up its throat. If a Python attacks a Mias, he seizes it with his hands, and then 
bites it, and soon kills it. The Mias is very strong: there is no animal in the 
jungle so strong as he.' " 

Several young Orang-utans have been 
taken to Europe and exhibited, to the delight 
of every one who saw them, but Mr. Wallace 
was fortunate enough to obtain one in its 
native haunts, and to observe it in its own 
climate. After shooting a female Mias, he 
found a little tiny one, lying face downwards, 
in the swamp where they were. "It was only 
about a foot long," writes Mr. Wallace, "and 
had evidently been hanging to its mother 
when she first fell. Luckily, it did not appear 
to have been wounded, and after we had 
cleaned the mud out of its mouth it began to 
crv out, and seemed quite strong and active. 
While carrying it home it got its hands in 
my beard, and grasped so tightly that I had 
great difficulty in getting free, for the fingers 

are habitually bent inwards at the last joint, so as to form complete hooks. At 
this time it had not a single tooth, but a few days afterward it cut its two lower 
front teeth. Unfortunately, I had no milk to give it, as neither Malays, Chinese 
nor Dyaks ever use the article, and I in vain inquired for any female animal that 
could suckle my little infant. I wr.s therefore obliged to give it rice water 
from a bottle, with a quill in the cork, which after a few trials it learned to 
suck very well. This was very meager diet, and the little creature did not 
thrive well on it. although I added sugar and cocoanut milk occasionally, to make 
it more nourishing. When I put my finger in its mouth it sucked with great 
vigor, drawing in its cheeks with all its might in the vain effort to extract some 
milK, and only after persevering a long time would it give up in disgnst, and set 
up a scream very like that of a baby in similar circumstances. When handled or 
nursed, it was very quiet and contented, but when laid down by itself would 




FRONT FACE OF THE ORANG. 



60 APES AND MONKEYS. 



invariably cry ; and for the first few nights was very restless and noisy. I fitted 
up a little box for a cradle, with a soft mat for it to lie upon, which was changed 
and washed every day ; and I soon found it necessary to wash the little Mias as 
well. After I had done so a few times, it came to like the operation, and as soon 
as it was dirty would begin crying, and not leave off till I took it out and carried 
it to the spout, when it immediately became quiet, although it would wince a little 
at the first rush of the cold water, and make ridiculously wry faces while the 
stream was running over its head. It enjoyed the wiping and rubbing dry amaz- 
ingly, and when I brushed its hair seemed to be perfectly happy, lying quite still, 
with its arms and legs stretched out, while I thoroughly brushed the long hair of 
its back and arms. For the first few days it clung desperately with all four hands 
to whatever it could lay hold of, and I had to be careful to keep my beard out of 
its way, as its fingers clutched hold of hair more tenaciously than anything 
else, and it was impossible to free myself without assistance. When restless, it 
would struggle about, with its hands up in the air, trying to find something to 
take hold of, and when it had got a bit of stick or rag in two or three of its hands, 
seemed quite happy. For want of something else, it would often seize its own 
feet, and after a time it would constantly cross its arms, and grasp with each hand 
the long hair that grew just below the opposite shoulder. The great tenacity of 
its grasp soon diminished, and I was obliged to invent some means to give it 
exercise and strengthen its limbs. For this purpose I made a short ladder of three 
or four rounds, on which I put it to hang for a quarter of an hour at a time. At 
first it seemed much pleased, but it could not get all four hands in a comfortable 
position, and, after changing about several times, would leave hold of one hand 
after the other, and drop on the floor. Sometimes when hanging only by two 
hands, it would loose one, and cross it to the opposite shoulder, grasping its own 
hair; and as this seemed much more agreeable than the stick, it would then loose 
the other and tumble down, when it would cross both, and lie on its back quite 
contentedlv, never seeming to be hurt by its numerous tumbles. Finding it so 
fond of hair, I endeavored to make an artificial mother, by wrapping up a piece of 
buffalo skin into a bundle, and suspending it about a foot from the floor. At first 
this seemed to suit it admirably, as it could sprawl its legs about and always find 
some hair, which it grasped with the greatest tenacity. I was now in hopes that 
I had made the little orphan quite happy ; and so it seemed for some time, till it 
began to remember its lost parent, and try to suck. It would pull itself up close 
to the skin, and try about everywhere for a likely place ; but as it only succeeded 
in getting mouthfuls of hair and wool, it would be greatly disgusted, and scream 
violently, and after two or three attempts, let go altogether. One day it got some 
wool into its throat, and I thought it would have choked, but after much gasping 
it recovered, and I was obliged to take the imitation mother to pieces again, and 
give up this last attempt to exercise the little creature. After the first week I 
found I could feed it better with a spoon, and give it a little more varied and more 



THE ORANG-UTAN. 



61 



. - -. 



solid food. Well-soaked biscuit, mixed with a little egg and sugar, and sometimes 
sweet potatoes, were readily eaten ; and it was a never-failing amusement to 
observe the curious changes of countenance by which it would express its approval 
or dislike of what was given to it. The poor little thing would lick its lips, draw 
in its cheeks, and turn up its eyes with an expression of the most supreme satis- 
faction when it had a mouthful particularly to its taste. On the other hand, when 
its food was not sufficiently sweet or palatable, it would turn the mouthful about 
with its tongue for a moment, as if trying to extract what flavor there was, and 
then push it all out between its lips. If the same food was continued, it would set 
up a scream and kick about violently, exactly like a baby in a passion. After I 
had had the little Mias about three weeks, I fortunately obtained a young Macaque 
Monkev (Macacus cynomolgus), which, though ^^fc&. 

small, was very active, and could feed itself. 
I placed it in the same box with the Mias, 
and they immediately became excellent 
friends, neither exhibiting the least fear of 
the other. The little monkey would sit upon 
the other's stomach, or even on its face, with- 
out the least regard to its feelings. While I 
was feeding the Mias, the monkey would sit 
by, picking up all that was spilt, and occas- 
ionally putting out its hands to intercept the 
spoon, and as soon as I had finished would 
pick off what was left sticking to the Mias' 
lips, and then pull open its mouth to see if 
any still remained inside, afterward lying 
down on the poor creature's stomach as on a 
comfortable cushion. The little helpless Mias 
would submit to all these insults with the 
most exemplar}' patience, only too glad to have something warm near it which it 
could clasp affectionately in its arms, ft sometimes, however, had its revenge; 
for when the monkey wanted to go away, the Mias would hold on as long as 
it could by the loose skin of its back, or head, or by its tail, and it was only after 
many vigorous jumps that the monkey could make its escape. It was curious 
to observe the different actions of these two animals, which could not have differed 
much in age. The Mias, like a very young baby, lying on its back quite helpless, 
rolling lazily from side to side, stretching out all four hands into the air, wishing 
to grasp something, but hardly able to guide its fingers to any definite object, and 
when dissatisfied opening wide its almost toothless mouth, and expressing its wants 
by a most infantine scream; the little monkey, on the other hand, in constant motion, 
running and jumping about wherever it pleased, examining everything around it, 
seizing hold of the smallest objects with the greatest precision, balancing itself on 




SIDE FACE OF THE ORANG. 



62 APES AND MONKEYS. 



the edge of the box, or running up a post, and helping itself to anything eatable 
that came in its way. There could hardly be a greater contrast; and the baby 
Mias looked more baby-like by the comparison. When I had had it about a 
month, it began to exhibit some signs of learning to run alone. When laid upon 
the floor it would push itself along by its legs, or roll itself over, and thus make an 
unwieldy progression. When lying in the box it would lift itself up to the edge 
into al.nost an erect position, and once or twice succeeded in tumbling out. When 
left dirty or hungry, or otherwise neglected, it would scream violently till attended 
to, varied by a kind of coughing or pumping noise, very similar to that which is 
made by the adult animal. If no one was in the house, or its cries were not 
attended to, it would be quiet after a little while, but the moment it heard a foot- 
step would begin again harder than ever. After five weeks it cut its two upper 
front teeth, but in all this time it had not grown the least bit, remaining, both in 
size and weight, the same as when I first procured it. This was, no doubt, owing 
to the want of milk or other equally nourishing food. Rice water, rice and biscuits 
were but a poor substitute, and the expressed milk of the cocoanut, which I some- 
times gave it, did not quite agree with its stomach. To this I imputed an attack 
of diarrhoea, from which the poor little creature suffered greatly, but a small dose 
of castor oil operated well, and cured it. A week or two afterward it. was again 
taken ill, and this time more seriously. The symptoms were exactly those of inter- 
mittent fever, accompanied by watery swellings on the feet and head. It lost all 
appetite for its food, and after lingering for a week, a most pitiable object, died, 
after being in my possession nearly three months. I much regretted the loss of 
my little pet, which I had at one time looked forward to bringing up to years of 
maturity, and taking home to England. For several months it had afforded me 
daily amusement by its curious ways and the inimitably ludicrous expression of its 
little countenance. Its weight was three pounds nine ounces, its height fourteen 
inches, and the spread of its arms twenty-three inches. I preserved its skin and 
skeleton, and in doing so found that, when it fell from the tree, it must have broken 
an arm and a leg, which had, however, united so rapidly that I only noticed the 
hard swellings on the limbs where the irregular junction of the bones had taken 
place " 

There is evidently much intelligence in the young Orang, when brought in 
contact with man, but probably in its native woods it leads a very quiet and almost 
mechanical life, there being nothing to develop extra instincts, thought, or 
unusual intelligence. 



CHAPTER IV. 

MAN-SHAPED MONKEYS. — CONTINUED. 

The Orang-utan is not the only man-shaped Ape of the forests and jungles of 
the great Asiatic Islands, for there are several others to be found there, and which 
also live on the main land, from Malacca far away to the north in Assam ; south- 
ward, in the peninsula of Hindostan, and in South China. They are less human- 
looking than the red Orangs, and they are smaller and more slender, but when they 
walk for a short distance erect, with the arms above the head and balancing the 
body, their resemblance to a small and hairy ''lord of creation'' is considerable. A 
very light glance distinguishes them from the Orangs; they have straight backs, 
small heads, large eyes, rather prominent chins, very long fore-arms, and their 
fingers reach the ankle in some, and the ground in others. Moreover, the Orangs 
sit upon a surface of hair, and these are furnished with a hard pad-like seat which 
is bare, and is called a callosity, but they have no tail. They can run. These long 
armed Apes have a number of names, but as a whole they are called Gibbons. So 
far as their intelligence, amiability and teachableness are concerned, they are equal 
to the Orangs, and indeed they seem to adapt themselves to the methods of men 
more readily. Not only do they become very fond of their keepers, but thev 
recollect them after the lapse of time ; and they are constantly let loose by those 
who keep them in India to wander about the trees in the neighborhood, and thev 
will return to be cared for, and come, when called, to be fed. 

Interesting to those who study the intelligence of animals, they are equally so 
to the common observer, who delights in witnessing their surpassing agility, won- 
derful leaps, and graceful swings from bough to bough. But to the anatomist they 
present many complicated problems ; for, although evidently not so high in the ani- 
mal scale as the Orangs and Chimpanzees, they have some things about them which 
cause them to resemble man more than do these great Apes, and others which cause 
them to resemble the great army of Monkeys. They are the last of the man-shaped 
in the classification, and the usual plan is to place them after the Orangs. 

They are extremely delicate animals, although their fur is thick and, in some 
kinds, long. They require a considerable temperature and very pure air; hence, 
when taken to cold climates they do not live long, dying usually from consump- 
tion or from some lung disease. 

63 



64 APES AND MONKEYS. 



THE SI AM AN C. Sir Stamford Raffles brought the Siamang prominently 
before the scientific world, and noticed the curious manner in which some of the 
toes were united, and he considered that this was to enable them to swing rapidly 
from branch to branch during their ordinary movements in the forest, when any 
stretching out of the fingers might be dangerous and produce a fall. But in this, 
as in many others, we owe to Mr. Wallace thanks for a concise description of the 
habits of the creature. 

"A very curious Ape, the Siamang, was rather abundant, but it is much less 
bold than the common Monkeys, keeping to the virgin forest, and avoiding villages. 
This species is allied to the little long-armed Apes, but is considerably larger, and 
differs from them by having the two first fingers of the feet united together, nearly 
to the end ; whence its name. It moves much more slowly, keeping lower down 
in the trees, and not indulging in such tremendous leaps ; but still it is very active, 
and by means of its immense long arms — five feet six inches across in an adult 
about three feet high — can swing itself along among the trees at a great rate. I 
purchased a small one, which had been caught by the natives, and tied up so tightly 
as to hurt it. It was rather savage at first and tried to bite, but when we had 
released it, and given it two poles under the verandah to hang upon, securing it by 
a short cord, running along the pole with a ring, so that it could move easily, it 
became more contented, and would swing itself about with greater rapidity. It 
ate almost any kind of fruit and rice, and I was in hopes to have brought it to Eng- 
land, but it died just before I started. It took a dislike to me at first, which 1 tried 
to get over by feeding it constantly myself. One day, however, it bit me so sharply 
while giving it food that I lost patience, and gave it rather a severe beating, which 
I regretted afterwards, as from that time it disliked me more than ever. It would 
allow my Malay boys to play with it, and for hours together would swing by its 
arms from pole to pole, and on to the rafters of the verandah, with so much ease 
and rapidity that it was a constant source of amusement to us. When I returned 
to Singapore it attracted great attention, as no one had seen a Siamang before, 
although it is not uncommon in some parts of the Malay peninsula." 

This monkey is celebrated for the pains it takes to wash the faces of its young, 
a duty which it conscientiously Derforms in spite of the struggles and screams of 
its aggrieved offspring. 

The Siamang can walk fairly in the erect posture by balancing with the arms, 
or by placing them over the head, and it has a great power of grasp with its toe- 
thumb. The ability to walk well was proved when a tame Siamang used to walk 
along a cabin table at sea, without disturbing the crockery; and curiously enough 
this was better done than were some of the ordinary movements of the hand, for 
drinking out of the palm was a most ineffective and clumsy effort. The bones of 
the foot resemble those of man more than do those of the Apes already noticed ; 
but the first and second fingers are united by a fold of skin. They are quiet, inof- 
fensive animals, full of affection for man, and having good memories. Their tem- 




GROUP OF SIAMANGS AND GIBBONS. 

65 



66 'APES AND MONKEYS. 



per is short enough sometimes, especially if there is any disappointment, but they 
have none of the mischievous tricks or malice of the monkeys. Liking milk occa- 
sionally, they still mainly feed on fruit and leaves, and hence the nature of their 
teeth, the size of their jaws, and the capacity of their brain case may be fairly 
anticipated. 

THE WHITE-HANDED GIBBON is found in great abundance in all the 
forests skirting the hills, which run from north to south in the country of Tenas- 
serim, southwest of Burmah, and are met with in parties of from eight to twenty 
in number, composed of individuals of all ages. It is rare to see a solitary one; 
occasionally, however, an old male will stray apart from the flock, and perch on 
the summit of some vast tree, whence his howls are heard for miles around. The 
forests which these animals inhabit resound with their cries from sunrise to about 
nine in the morning. After nine or ten o'clock they begin to think of eating, and 
and are soon engaged in feeding on fruit, young leaves, buds, shoots and insects, 
for which they occasionally come to the ground. When approached, if alone, they 
will sit so close, doubled up in a thick tuft of foliage, or behind the fork of a tree, 
and so screened as to be safe from the shot of the sportsman. With a companion 
this manoeuvre is of course useless. But even when the creature is forced from 
its hiding-place it is not easily shot, for it swings from branch to branch with its 
long arms, shaking the boughs all round, and flinging itself from prodigious 
heights into the dense under-scrub, and is quickly concealed from view. This 
long-armed Ape does not walk readily on its hind-legs, and has to stop frequently 
and prop or urge itself on, having the knuckles on the ground. In sitting it often 
rests on its elbows, and it likes to lie on its back. They make great use of their 
hind limbs, and of the hand-foot especially, for they will cling on and swing with 
their fore-hands, and steal and carry anything which pleases them with their 
hind ones. In captivity it is generally a gentle, peaceable animal, very timid; 
but when captured after its young days have passed, it becomes very wild. The 
adults soon die, and even the young seldom reach maturity when deprived of lib- 
erty. They are born generally in the early part of the cold weather, a single one 
at a time, two being as rare as human twins. The young one clings safely to the 
mother for about seven months, although she swings and climbs to perfection, and 
then it shifts for itself. They may be made cross, like most creatures, by being 
teased, and anger is then shown by a steady look, with the mouth held open, and 
the lips occasionally drawn back to show the eye teeth, with which they bite 
severely. But usually it attacks with its long hands, which are at such times held 
dangling and shaken in a ridiculous manner, like a person who has suddenly burnt 
his fingers. It drinks in a curious and difficult manner, by scooping the water in 
its long narrow hand, and thus conveying a very little drop at a time to its mouth. 

Usually the young are feeble, dull and querulous in captivity, and sit huddled 
up together on the ground, seldom or never climbing trees. On the smooth sur- 



THE HO LOO K. 



face of a matted floor they will run along on their feet and slide on their hands at 
the same time. By being fed solely on plantains, or on milk and rice, they are apt 
to lose all their fur, presenting in their nude state a most ridiculous appearance. 
Few recover; but a change of diet, and especially by allowing them to help them- 
selves to insects, enables some to come round, and to resume their natural cover- 
ing. For the most part they are devoid of those pranks and tricks which are 
exhibited by the smaller monkeys. The length of a full-grown male was two feet 
six inches; the fore limb measured two feet one inch, and the hind limb one foot 




THE HOOLOOK. 

seven and a half inches The Lar or White-handed Gibbon has a black skin and 
hair, and there is a white band round the entire lace, across the forehead. 



THE HOOLOOK. Naturalists have ransacked nearly every part of the 
globe for interesting animals, and have procured them from very out of-the-way 
places. One of these localities was particularly difficult to get at years ago, for it 
is in the hills, far away to the northeast of Calcutta, on the other side of the great 
river Brahmapootra, in Assam. Amongst the Garrow and Cossiah hills, where 



68 APES AND MONKEYS. 



there are wild gorges, and uplands crowded with vast forests, overlooking the wide 
plains of the river valley, there were many wonderfully active Gibbons. About 
two feet in length, they were capable of swinging with unerring certainty from 
branch to branch, many feet apart ; and even the females performed these constant 
and natural movements while their young were hanging to them. They were black 
in color, with white eyebrows, or, rather, a white band across the forehead. When 
caught, they soon became tamed, especialty when young, and were docile and affec- 
tionate. One which was kept by Dr. Burrough was two feet six inches in length, 
yet the fore limb was only six inches shorter than this, the length of the hand itself 
being six inches. 

So great was the disproportion of the legs and arms, that the first were, includ- 
ing the feet, only nineteen inches long, and the fingers touched the ground readily 
when he was standing erect. This Hoolook was of a deep black color, and he had 
the usual simple band of white across the forehead, and black hands and feet. He 
was caught in the usual haunt of this species, and being well treated, he was easily 
tamed. He liked the fruit of the peepul-tree better than anything, and bananas; 
but he took to rice and milk, and enjoyed snapping up a sweet or two, and espe- 
cially delighted in spiders. Meat he cared little about, and pork and beef he 
detested, but he liked fish occasionally. After about a month's captivity he took a 
great fancy to his master, and would come to his call, and sit up to breakfast. He 
liked to help himself to chicken and egg, and at first was very bad in his manners, 
dipping his fingers into the coffee and milk, and then sucking them. Afterwards 
he was taught to hold a cup and to drink from it. 

He would walk erect slowly, first on one foot and then on the other, and would 
put his long arms over his head to balance his body, as it swayed first on one side 
and then on the other as his pace increased ; then he began to run, and at last, 
grasping a bough, would swing himself forwards first with one hand and then with 
the other, getting over twenty to thirty paces with the greatest ease and regu- 
larity. He was timid, very reluctant to oppose those who teased him, and usually 
retreated at once. His master used to brush his skin for him when he was out of 
sorts, and the sensation seems to have been most pleasurable, and he evidently 
enjoyed the gentle friction very much. Falling ill, he had a dose of calomel and a 
warm bath, the latter remedy being much more to his taste than the other. 

THE WOOYEN APE. A number of apes were found in company on a 
small island near Camboja, and at first sight they appeared to be of different kinds, 
although they all had the long arms and the general appearance of the " Long- 
armed Apes." But a careful examination proved that they belonged to one par- 
ticular species, the individuals of which differ greatly in their color during different 
parts of their lives. The young were uniformly dirty white in color, and had on 
black spots on their chests or heads. The females were white, with the fur of the 
back brownish white, slightly waved, and there was a large black spot on the 



THE WOO YEN APE. 



69 



crown and one on the chest. On the other hand the male was black, and the back 
of the head, body, and legs grayish. The hands were white. The variation in 
color at different ages and in different sexes in one kind should teach us that some- 
thing more than mere outside distinctions are requisite for deciding the value of 
what are called species- The dark cap-like mass of hair on the head gives the 
name to this Ape. Evidently the animal is a puzzle and a source of the marvelous 
to the Chinese, for one of their gazetteers gives a mixture of correct information 




fillPlvi 



^IXfet '-S££jS. 



regarding its natural history, and of what has been drawn from a very vigorous 
imagination. 

It is described in the following manner, as coming from the district of Hainan; 
"Yuen — male black, female white, like a Macaque, but larger, with the two fore- 
arms exceedingly long. Climbs to tree-tops, and runs among them backwards and 
forwards with great agility. If it falls to the ground it remains their like a log! 
Its delight is in scaling trees, as it cannot walk on the ground. Those desiring to 
rear it in confinement should keep it amongst trees, for the exhalations of the earth 



70 



APES AND MONKEYS. 



affect it with diarrhoea, causing death ; a sure remedy for this, however, may be 
found in a draught made of the syrup of the fried foo-tse." 

THE AGILE GIBBON is a native of Sumatra. It derives its name of Agile 
from the wonderful activity it displays in launching itself through the air from 
branch to branch. One of 
these creatures who was 

exhibited some time since, -/^ ^- v\ ^•Lj^^^M 'ivM— <4A 
sprang with the greatest 
ease through distances of 
twelve and eighteen feet ; and when 
apples or nuts were thrown to her 
while in the air, she would catch 
them without discontinuing her 
course. She kept up a succession 
of springs, hardly touching the 
branches in her progress, continu- 
ally uttering a musical but almost 
deafening cry. She was very tame 
and gentle, and would permit her- 
self to be touched or caressed. The 
height of the Gibbon is about three 
feet, and the reach of the extended 
arms about six feet. 
The young Gibbon is 
usually of a paler 
color than its parent. 
In concluding this 
part of the subject, 
which relates especi- 
ally to the man-shaped 
Apes, some very obvi- 
ous reflections occur. 
There is something 
very interesting as 
well as instructive 
and suggestive in the 

study of the proportions of the limbs to each other and to the body in the larger 
Apes, of which the Gorilla is the highest in the scale, and in man. The fingers in 
man hang down to below the middle of the thigh; in the Gorilla they attain the 
knee; in the Chimpanzee they reach below the knee; in the Orang they touch 
the ankle ; in the Siamang they reach the sole ; and in some Gibbons the whole 




THE AGILE GIKLJOX. 



THE AGILE GIBBON. 71 



palm may be applied to the ground without the trunk being bent forward beyond 
its natural position on the legs. It is also found that in man the arm-bone exceeds 
in length each of the bones of the forearm in a marked manner, and in the Gorilla 
and Chimpanzee it does so but slightly ; the bones are equal in the Orangs, and 
very unequal in the Gibbons, those of the forearm being the longest. When the 
length of the arms down to the wrist is compared with that of the body, omitting 
the legs, there is not much difference between man and the Gorilla, but it increases 
in the Chimpanzee, Orang and in the Siamang. The lower limbs are short in the 
Gorilla, and this is characteristic — they offer but a poor support to the huge body 
— and the resemblance to the symmetrical proportion of the legs to the body in 
man is scanty indeed. This disproportion is greater in the Chimpanzee and 
Orangs, in which the lower limbs are pigmies. 



CHAPTER V. 

THE DOG-SHAPED MONKEYS. 

The Apes which have formed the subject of the previous chapter, and which, 
from their greater or less resemblance to man, have been called the Anthropomorplia, 
have long arms, short legs and no tails. The great length of the fore limb distin- 
guishes them not only from man, but also from all the other Quadrumana, and so 
does the relative shortness of the hind limbs. The length of limb is thus sufficient 
to afford data for classifying the Quadrumana of the Old World in two great 
groups, of which the Anthropomorpha form the first, and the rest of the Monkeys 
the second. In these the fore limb is invariably the shortest, and the hind one the 
longest ; so that there is exactly the reverse condition of that observed in the great 
Apes. With regard to the tail question, it may be stated that, whilst many species 
have very long tails, others have them of moderate length, and few have none. 

The Monkeys of this second group, or the Cynomorpha, all of which live in the 
Old World, have a thin division between the nostrils, whose openings look down- 
wards, or downwards and outwards. They are Catarrhine Quadrumana, and many 
have cheek-pouches, but not all, whilst all have the peculiar pads, more or less 
brightly colored, which are placed where the animal sits, or on the swelling of the 
haunch-bone. 

THE BLACK-CRESTED MONKEY, or as it is sometimes called, the 
Simpai, was noticed and described by Sir Stamford Raffles as a native of Sumatra, 
where it is frequently seen in the neighborhood of Bencoolen. It has a long and 
slender body, very long hind legs, and the tail end is higher than the shoulders in 
walking. The forelegs are short, and the tail is very long, and exceeds thirty 
inches in length, and the head is small and wonderfully straight in the forehead and 
face. 

The colors of this Simpai are very different to those of the great Apes already 
mentioned. Here variety ol color replaces the sameness of the tints of the large 
Anthropomorpha. First, there is a long crest of black hair on the top of the head, 
which passes slightly round the face close. On the cheeks there is a tuft of fawn- 
colored hairs, which graduate into white. The forehead is of a light fawn-color 
an 1 the face is naked, slightly wrinkled, and of a blue tint. The under parts of the 

72 



THE BLACK CRESTED MONKEY. 



73 



body are very white, and on the back and neck the color is bright yellow and red. 
The palms and soiesare black, the thumbs are small, and the callosites are large. 

THE NEGRO MONKEY. This is, as the name implies, a black Monkey. 
It is intensely black, except underneath and at the root of the tail, where 



there is a grey tint 
come" slightly grey 
most black things, 
hunted, not, 
amusement 
live in 
ests, and 
u als 



The paws are long, delicate and silky, and be- 
on the head and back with old age. Like 
it leads a troubled life, being chased and 
however, in this instance so much for 
as for the pretty black fur. They 
great troops in the Javanese for- 
sometimes fifty or more individ- 
associate together. They 
make rude nests on trees, 
nd are extremely timid, 
making off with great 
haste if they are dis- 
turbed. A long series 
of generations have 
been chased and 
killed by the natives 
of Java, and there- 
fore the' present 
Negro Monkeys are 
exceedingly shy, and 
bolt from the face of 
man at once. And 
yet, although thus 
timid and anxious to 
get out of the way, they 
have the reputation of be- 
ing dangerous, and really un- 
wittingly they may be so. On 
the approach of men they utter 
loud screams and scamper off 
amongst the trees, helter-skelter. 
Now in doing this they break dead 
branches off, and sometimes a large 
fruit or nut comes tumbling down some score or two of feet. These are supposed 
to be thrown by the Monkeys, but such is not the case. Having this bad character, 
the "negroes" are cudgeled with sticks, and killed in numbers very cruelly. Their 
pretty fur is much prized, and the chiefs of the country arrange the hunting 




sy ' i/j/ * 



\ ll 



FACE OF THE BLACK-CRESTED-MONKEY. 



74 



APES AND MONKEYS. 



parties, treating the Monkeys really as beasts of the field. The skins are prepared 
by a simple process which the natives have learned from Europeans ; and they 
conduct it with great skill. It affords a fur of a jet-black color, covered with long 
silky hairs, which is used by the natives and Europeans there in ornamenting 
riding saddlery and in military decorations." 

When young, they are of a brown or red- 
dish tint, and thin grey tints appear preced- 
ing the intense black ; they then eat buds and 
shoots and tender leaves, but in adult age 
they are fruit consumers. When in captivity 
they are sullen and morose, and they will 
remain sulky for many months. This the 
natives know, and therefore they never try to 
tame them, or to have them in their houses. 
In their shape they resemble the last Monkey' 
described, and their hind limbs are verylong, 
their haunches being high. 

They are rather more than two feet 
long in the body, and the neck appears 
short; both shoulders and chest are short 
and largely made. The tail is as long as 
the body and head, and is often slightly 
tufted at the end. A mop of hair sur- 
rounds the face, the hairs are long and 
closely pressed, and quite conceal the 
forehead. The nose is peculiar, for the 
bones of it are ridged, as it were, 
and the skin is drawn tight over the 
open nostril (nares), so that there is 
no soft nose. A very considerable 
space exists between the nostrils 
and the mouth, and the lips are 
small and thin. 

THE LONG-NOSED MON- 
KEY. Of all the remarkable oddi- 
ties of Nature amongst the many 
shaped Monkeys, the Long-nosed 
or Proboscis-carrier stands pre-eminent. In fact, there is nothing in human or ape 
nature like the face of one particular Long-tailed Monkey from Borneo. Monkeys 
have fiat noses as a rule, some have a ridge and a little fleshy mass in which the 
nostrils end ; others, like the Baboon, have dog-like noses, and the Americans have 




THE NEGRO MONKEY. 



THE LONG-NOSED MONKEY. 



75 



wide noses, the nostrils opening well at the sides. In man there is the Roman nose, 
the pug, the straight, the flat, the broken, the long with a large end, and the short 
with a turn up, but the Nasalis Monkey stands alone amongst the Primates with 
a nose of vast proportions, which projects far in advance of the mouth, and whose 
nostrils open underneath. It grows with age, and commences as a small "turn up," 
which is still more fleshy and longer than the nose of any Monkey. The newly 
-born Nose Monkey is a most extraordinary object, reminding the critical eye of 
many youths of weak constitution and defective brains. Its hair is wonderfully 
parted down the middle, 
and brushed by Dame 
Nature down the sides of 
the head and a little back- 
ward ; the whiskers take 
the latter direction, and 
the ears stand out just 
behind them. It has 
drooping eyelids, a long- 




THE LONG-NOSED MONKEY. 



ish upper lip, with just a little sign of coming hair, and then there is the funny 
nose, the upper part like a boy's, but the end seems to have been pulled out and 
turned up, so that the nostrils are quite at the tip. The face has a tinge of blue 
about it, and the animal even when old enough to be sitting on a tree, looks sad 
and melancholy. 

They grow to the size of a large pointer dog, and are powerful animals, assem- 
bling in troops, and playing and associating probably with the Orangs. Stuffed 
specimens of the Proboscis Monkey are usually simply caricatures, and by no 
means good ones, for they do not give one-half of the curious appearance of the 
face. In nature, and in drawings taken shortlv after death, the first thing that 



76 APES AND MONKEYS. 



strikes one is the flat top to the head, and the red hair there, starting from the top 
of the crown and radiating in all directions, and coming as a very sharp line straight 
over the eyebrows, and cutting the forehead very short. Then the prodigious 
nose, stuck out some inches in front of the mouth, is, with the rest of the face, 
naked, and of a reddish-brown flesh-color. The eyes are wide apart and open, and 
are of a hazel color. The whiskers clasp the face, as it were, and are brushed back, 
and join the hair of the neck, whilst the little beard sticks out like a goat's. The 
mouth is wide and the chin recedes. It is a long-bodied creature, and there is a 
great bend outward in the back when -it squats on its haunches There is a good- 
sized chest, there are long arms, still longer legs, and a great tail. The prevailing 
color of the back and shoulders is the red or dark-red brown of the head hair, 
whilst the rest of the body is of a lighter tint, the tail and limbs especially. The 
thumb of the hand is small, and barely reaches as far as the first finger-joint, but 
the toe-thumb is large, widely set from the foot, and the skin-fold comes far down 
it, as also does a web between the toes, the third of which is the longest. 

The Dyaks call this monkey the Kaha, for this is the sound which they make 
when in companies in the woods by the sides of the swamps and jungles. There 
they live a restless life at sunrise and sunset, being quieter in the heat of the day, 
and crying out at each other. They have fine voices, thanks to their strength, and 
perhaps to the air sac in their neck, which may render oral sounds more resonant. 
They are active creatures, and bound from tree to tree, clearing from fifteen to 
twenty feet with ease. 

THE SACRED MONKEYS are marked by cheek-pouches and callosities on 
their haunches. The form of their body is slender and elongated ; the extremities 
are also of great length, as in the Gibbon, the hind ones, however, being the 
longest. The tails are much longer in the semnopithecs than in any of the ordi- 
nary monkeys. Though slender, these possess a very considerable degree of mus- 
cular power, and enter as an important constituent into the motions and progression 
of the animals. When they are at rest, the tails are allowed to hang down perpen- 
dicularly, and, from their great length, which considerably exceeds that of the ani- 
mal's body, have a very droll effect, which is heightened by the air of imperturb- 
able gravity belonging to the creatures themselves. When the}' are unemployed 
this is their general aspect : they exhibit the very picture of sadness and melan- 
choly, and appear as if perfectly regardless of everything that passes around them ; 
but when roused or excited, they are capable of the most surprising exertions, and 
astonish the spectator by a rapidity, variety, and precision of movements, which 
could scarcely be anticipated from creatures apparently so apathetic in mind and 
delicate in body. They are in reality far from meriting the name of Slow Monkeys, 
which some zoologists have given them. Their slowness is exhibited in disposition 
more than in action, and is an attribute of character rather than of structure. 
When young they are readily domesticated ; but being less petulant, curious, and 



THE HOONUMAN MONKEY. 



77 



restless than the Baboons and some others, they are supposed to exhibit less intelli- 
gence ; though their mental qualities, as well as their physical structure, closely 
assimilate them to the real apes. 




THE HOONUMAN MONKEY. 

THE HOONUMAN MONKEY. This is the most sacred of the sacred Mon- 
keys of the Hindoos, and when full-grown measures four feet and a half in length, 
and the tail is considerably longer than the body. An ashy-grey tint distinguishes 
the upper part of the body, and it is darkest on the tail, which is of equal thickness 
throughout. The rest of 'the body is of a dingy yellow color, or rusty brown, and 



78 APES AND MONKEYS. 



the arms, hands, and feet are dusky black. The long face is blackish ; and above 
the eyebrows is a line of long, stiff, projecting black hairs. A greyish-white beard 
passes round the face and extends upward, and is thicker in front of the ears, 
which are long, prominent and black. Finally, this face has a few hairs by 
way of a beard beneath the chin, which projects. 

A long-legged, active creature is the Entellus. It associates in great troops, 
and they keep up a constant noise and quarrel. Those that abound — thanks to the 
belief in their semi-divinity by the Hindoos — near towns and plantations are cer- 
tainly more sharp, clever and impudent than their less fortunate fellows. They 
watch and steal with impunity and ability, and are amusing when voung, but sav- 
age and disagreeable when old. The young differ much in shape from the old 
adults, and their limbs seem very disproportionate at first. They have a staid look 
about them, and a tranquil eye, and the forehead is broad and high, the muzzle 
only slightly prominent, and the brain case large. But with age this alters ; the 
tints of the body get darker, the body larger, the muzzle elongates, and the fore- 
head appears to contract, and to be no longer an object of human resemblance. 
The disposition changes also, for the tame and amusing young learn a number of 
tricks and are full of fun ; but this is succeeded by a look and behavior of distrust 
and fierceness. It is a native of Bengal, the Himalayan Mountains, Nepaul, and 
Bootan, and is remarkably interwoven with the religion of the countries where it 
is found, especially among the Hindoos. These people believe that this monkey is 
a metamorphosed prince, and to kill one is a deadly sin. As might be expected, 
this treatment has been favorable to the increase of these creatures, and hence they 
absolutely swarm in many places, and especialty in the vicinity of the temples. In 
some parts they are a complete pest, as they destroy vast quantities of fruit in the 
gardens and plantations. M. Duvaucel has given an interesting account of the 
careful watch which the Bengalese kept over him to prevent his killing this sacred 
animal, holding a high place among the thirty million of Indian gods, and to save 
himself from dying within the year, which, according to popular belief, is sure to 
be the fate of one who puts an entellus monkey to death. He was harangued by 
the Hindoos upon the danger of injuring animals which were no other than princes 
and heroes under the operation of the metempsychosis. Unmoved by their elo- 
quence, and eager to possess a specimen, he leveled and brought down a "princess!" 
But the acquisition was dearly bought. The ill-fated creature had a young one on 
her back, and, though shot through the heart, the mother exhausted her remains of 
life in throwing it into the branches of a neighboring tree, then fell and expired at 
the feet of her destroyer. It is but just to add, that he mourned over the deed he 
had done. 

THE DOUC, or Variegated Monkey, is perhaps the most gaily clad of all this 
group, and in this departs in a most marked manner from the dull sameness of the 
fur of the Apes already described in the former chapters. Not only is the long 



THE DOUC. 



79 



hair very different in color in several parts of the body, but the hairs themselves 
are variegated, having bands of various tints upon them, differing thus from the 
whole-colored hairs of the great Apes. 

The animal has the usual shape of the Semnopitheci ; but the whiskers brushed 
back, as they appear to be, make the naked and orange-colored face look broad. 
These whiskers are long, and are of a glossy whiteness, and above they join the 
hair of the forehead, which is black in front, gradually becoming grizzled grey. 
This is the tint of the head and of the back of the neck and back. The thighs, 




THE DOUC. 

fingers and toes are blaxk, the legs and ankles are bright red, forearms, throat, and 
underneath the legs, the buttocks, and the tail are pure white, and the white throat 
is surrounded by a more or less complete circle of bright red. They live in the 
woods of Cochin China, and have been met with not far from the coast. They 
assemble in troops, but appear to be good tempered and easily frightened, and this 
appears to be all that is known of their nature. 



THE CEYLON WANDEROO. "When observed in their native wilds," 
writes Sir James Emerson Tennant, " a party of twenty or thirty of these crea- 



APES AND MONKEYS. 



tures are generally busily engaged in the search for berries and buds. They are 
seldom to be seen on the ground, and then only when they have descended to 
recover seeds or fruit that have fallen at the foot of their favorite trees. In their 
alarm, when disturbed, their leaps are prodigious, but generally speaking their pro- 




THE WANDEROO, 



gress is made not so much by leaping as by swinging from branch to branch, using 
their powerful arms alternately, and when baffled by distance, flinging themselves 
obliquely so as to catch the lower boughs of an opposite tree, the momentum 
acquired by their descent being sufficient to cause a rebound, that sends them again 



THE WANDEROO—THE COLOBOS. 81 



upward, till they can grasp a higher branch, and thus continue their headlong 

flight." . 

This Monkey is very active and intelligent, is not very mischievous, and, 
indeed, is much less so than the other Monkeys of Ceylon. In captivity it is 
remarkable for the gravity of its behaviour, and for an air of melancholy in its 
expression and movements, which is completely in character with its snowy beard 
and venerable aspect. Its disposition is gentle and confiding; it is in the highest 




THE COI.OIJOS. 



degree sensible of kindness, and eager for endearing attentions, uttering a low, 
plaintive cry when its sympathies are excited. It is particularly cleanly in its habits 
when domesticated, and spends much of its time in cleaning its fur, and carefully 
divesting it of the least particle of dust. 

The Nestor is about sixteen inches in length (the body and head), and the tail 
measures twenty inches. The prevailing color is a deep grey, with a slight tinge 
of brown, becoming paler on the back of the neck and on the tail, where the pre- 
vious tinge is more marked. The hands and lower part of the limbs are nearly 
black. Its lips, chin and whiskers are nearly pure white, the tips of the latter, 
which are brushed backward, being grey. There is a stiff ridge of black hairs 



82 APES AND MONKEYS. 



over the eyebrows, and they are about an inch and a half in length. The moderate 
length of the hairs, the light color and the white of the lower sides of the face, are 
distinctive. 

THE COLOBOS. The kind of Monkeys included in the genus Colobos are 
not very numerous, and they are interesting more on account of their beautiful 
skins, which form ornaments and articles of commerce in Africa, and for those sug- 
gestions which must occur to the mind of every one who thinks a little about nat- 
ural history, regarding the cause of the absence of such an important structure as 
the thumb in a group of animals, whose other characters are similar to those of a 
genus possessing it. Very little is known about their habits in a state of nature. 

The thumb is not seen in the least in one kind of Colobos, the true Colobos; 
in others it is like a little knob, but in none is it of any use. 

The thumb is therefore "rudimentary " in the genus Colobos, and why ? The 
animals are tree-climbers and active jumpers; and can run very well on all-fours; 
in fact, their methods of life and of motion is that of the Monkeys which have well- 
formed thumbs. The notion of a useless organ is at first repulsive to our ideas of 
the benevolent scheme of Nature. Mr. Darwin writes: "In reflecting on them 
every one must be struck with astonishment; for the same reasoning power which 
tells us plainly that most parts and organs are exquisitely adapted for certain pur- 
poses tells us with equal plainness that these rudimentary or atrophied organs are 
imperfect or useless." Let us take a well-known instance of such a structure : The 
Calf when born has cutting teeth in its upper jaw hidden in the gum ; they are not 
in sockets, and even if they were, they would be of no use in biting. The Ox 
has no cutting or incisor teeth in its upper jaw, as every one knows, and the tongue 
touches a hard and moist gum there. The incisor teeth of the Calf are never cut, 
but they are gradually absorbed in the gum with age. Now what is their mean- 
ing ? They are of no use in sucking, or in anything which occurs in the early life 
of the animal: they are clearly useless and rudimentary or atrophied structures. 
Take another example: The little Kiwi bird of New Zealand has no wings with 
which to fly, yet the bones are there in a dwarfed and rudimentary condition ; 
many insects have no wings, or have them so reduced in size that they are of no 
use in flight, and sometimes the males have them in perfection, and the females 
have none. In explaining this subject two courses are open, first to beg the ques- 
tion, and to say that the design of the Creator was thus; or to account for it on 
the principle that the Creator acts by law, and that creatures become modified 
and altered by inherent power, and by having to obey the force of surrounding 
circumstances generation after generation. 

In the instance of the male and female insect just noticed, the male is active, 
and has to search for his partner, and the female is a stay-at-home and expects to 
be courted, and when mated to do nothing more than lay eggs. Her wings would 
be of doubtful value. We may believe, then that disuse, generation after genera- 



THE GUEREZA. 



83 



tion, gradually weakened the wing, and Nature, ever economical in not used organs, 
did not perpetuate it. Disuse may be therefore considered as the principal cause 
of the atrophy, rudimentary condition, and of the final deficiency of structures. 

THE CUEREZA. There is something very un-monkey-like in the shape of 
this Abyssinian animal, for it has long white hair, resembling the edge of a cloak, 
along its sides, and a long tail with a tuft to it. The natives chase it, and are fond 
of having some of their long hairy skins to cover their shields with. Assembling 
in little troops the Guereza keeps well up in the tallest trees, in the neighborhood 
of running water. :±=*£3k/3^9s 

They feed on fruit, 
grain and insects, 
and are inoffensive 
and wild. The fur 
is certainly very 
prettily arranged, 
and the black and 
white truly oppose 
each other well. The 
color of the fur of 
the head and of the 
greater part of the 
body is black, but 
the forehead is 
white; so are the 
sides of the face, the 
throat, and the sides 
of the neck. There 
is a mantle-like mop 
of long hairs start- 
ing from the region 
near the ribs, and 

the lower part of the back, and covering the flanks in a train behind. It is of a 
white color, and exists in both sexes; nevertheless, it is longest in the females and 
adults. The tail is white, hairy, and tufted. 

THE CUENONS. There are vast numbers of monkeys living in the Afri- 
can forests which resemble, to a certain extent, those described in the last chapter, 
but which have such important differences in their construction that they are sepa- 
rated from them, and collected in another genus. Being very numerous, 
extremely impudent, as a rule, and full of grimace and mischief, they soon attracted 
the attention of the ancients, and the beauty of the fur of some made them all the 
more prized. 




^yr^t 



THE GUEREZA. 



84 APES AND MONKEYS. 



At first sight they resemble the Colobi, inasmuch as they have long bodies, 
long hind legs, and long tails, but the fore limbs are short in the Guenons, and the 
tail, which is long or longer than the body, is stout and not slender. Moreover, 
they have well-made and exceedingly useful cheek-pouches, besides the callosities 
behind. The face of the Guenons is long, and rounded, and the eyes are some- 
what prominent. The hands and feet are well-grown, and the thumbs are long and 
useful. 

Many of the Guenons are often seen in menageries and zoological gardens, or 
as the more or less unwilling companions of organ grinders ; and their trick of 
crowding everything into their mouth, and allowing it to distend the cheeks, is 
sure to be noticed. The quantity of nuts which can be stored away is enough for 
a good meal ; and hence these Monkeys are not only good purveyors for them- 
selves, but great robbers of the riches of cultivators. In the wild state they assem- 
ble in troops in the forest, for they are essentially tree-dwellers, and make raids on 
all sides of their favorite home, moving with such rapidity under the shadow of 
leaves and boughs that they are rarely seen by men. In their own little tract of 
forest they are very noisy and restless; they chase away in a body all intruding 
monkeys, and whilst the more aged spend their time in more or less restless move- 
ment, in occasional family jars, and in picking the insects from their young and 
from each other, the juvenile part of the troop are full of play, mischief, and wan- 
ton aggression upon the quietude of their elders. A snake may appear, and there 
is a terrible noise made, and a general rush off out of danger, the little ones cling- 
ing to the fur of the mother, and being carried off safely in spite of her bounds 
and jumps from tree to tree. Or a leopard may make a spring, and not always 
fruitlessly, and loud is the surrounding howling and grimacing at it. The hatred 
of snakes is carried into their captivity; and Mr. Darwin having read Brehm's 
account of the instinctive fear which his monkeys had of serpents, and also of their 
great curiosity regarding snake-like things and their doings, took a stuffed snake 
to the monkey-house of the Zoological Gardens. The excitement which was pro- 
duced, he writes, was one ol the most curious spectacles ever beheld. Three spe- 
cies of the Cercopithecus were the most alarmed. They darted about their cages, 
and uttered sharp cries of danger, which were understood by the other monkeys. 
A few young monkeys and an old Anubis Baboon alone took no notice of the 
snake. He then placed the stuffed specimen on the ground in one of the larger 
compartments. After a time all the monkeys collected around it in a large circle, 
and, staring intently, presented a most ludicrous appearance. They became 
extremely nervous, so that when a wooden ball with which they were familiar as a 
plaything was accidently moved in the straw under which it was partly hidden, 
they all instantly started away. These monkeys behaved very differently when a 
fish, a mouse, and some other new objects were placed in the cage; for though at 
first frightened they soon approached, handled and examined them. He then 
placed a living snake in a paper bag, with the mouth closed loosely, in one of the 



THE GUENON. 85 



larger compartments. One of the monkeys immediately approached, cautiously 
opened the bag a little, peeped in, and instantly dashed away. Then he witnessed 
what Brehm has described, for monkey after monkey, with head raised high, and 
turned on one side, could not resist taking momentary peeps into the upright bag 
at the dreadful creature lying at the bottom. 

It would appear as if monkeys had some notion of zoological affinities, for 
those kept by Brehm exhibited a strange though mistaken instinctive dread of 
innocent lizards and frogs. 

Birds of prey attack them, and not always with a successful result; and there 
is a story of a little Guenon being darted at by an eagle, who swooped down and 
struck it, but it did not get off, for a rush was made against the bird by several of 
the active elders, and they not only held it, but nearly plucked off all its feathers, 
so that when it got away it remembered for ever after the treatment it received. 
The Guenons are very choleric, and the expression of the face and of the mouth, 
and the shrill sounds which are emitted when they are angered, would probably 
be accompanied by extremely bad language were they men ; but their rage is soon 
over, and some mutual tail-pulling and biting are the worst part of it. There is a 
curious defiant look about the eyes of some, with or without extreme restlessness 
of them ; they seem to be the very embodiment of cunning and sharpness, and this 
look is really very peculiar to the group. By way of additional force of expres- 
sion, those which are very fond of fighting with their teeth have the power of 
drawing back their ears like angry dogs; and this is done by the action of a mus- 
cle which springs from the ear-bone behind the ear, and is attached to it behind. 
There is just a rudiment of this muscle in man. Usually very good tempered 
when young, like all the Quadrumana, they grow cross, savage and uncertain in 
temper when old ; there are some exceptions to this, but, on the other hand, so 
savage do some of them become, that breaking or removing their great upper 
canine teeth seems to be the only way of making them behave at all properly. 
The loss of these fine weapons of offense has a most humiliating effect on the most 
insolent and petulant of them. Many are very pretty, and are as elaborately col- 
ored as the Douc, that prince of beautiful Semnopitheci; and this leads to their 
destruction, for every now and then, beside the native desire to have some fine 
monkey skins, European ladies desire monkey muffs, and many an irascible chat- 
terer out of the woods of Western Africa has its skin paraded by the fashion. 
Bright red, green, fawn, yellow, and white colors are constantly mixed up with 
black shades, and every tint of grey is dotted here and there. The hair is longer 
in some parts than in others, especially about the cheeks and chin; one has a white 
spot on its nose, another has white moustaches, and a third a white band across the 
forehead. And these tints, and the disproportion of the long hairs, have served to 
identify the different kinds. 

The Guenons occasionally breed in menageries, and thus opportunities have 
been afforded of watching their treatment of, and method of educating, their 



APES AND MONKEYS. 



little ones. One in Paris had three baby monkeys, one after the other, and suc- 
ceeded in rearing one, the others dying-. She constantly carried it, holding it close 
to her, so that its little mouth was always close to the breast; but after awhile, as 
it became stronger, it clung on by itself, holding on fast with its hands to the 
mother's fur, and helped itself whenever it thought fit. Then the mother appeared 
to pay no especial attention to the little one, and jumped and rushed about as if it 
had not the little burden. The father was anything but paternal, and boldly 
neglected the education of his child ; in fact, he was quite indifferent to the mother 
as well, and even behaved brutally by seeking to quarrel with her. Once or twice 
he maltreated her, and pinched the baby, so he was locked up by himself. 

This careless treatment doubtless accounts for the rapid independence of the 
young of the Guenons, who soon retaliate on their fathers and mothers for all the 
enjoyments they did not have at their hands, by endless teasings and scoldings. 
But all monkeys are not thus unpaternal and unnatural, and the Baboon is singu- 
larly affectionate. At the time that the Grivet — the above mentioned Guenon — 
was seen in one cage outraging all good feeling, two Chacma Baboons were in 
another, and the difference in their behaviour was most edifying. In the one cage 
sat the solitary mother and her offspring, the father having been removed for his 
bad temper and brutal conduct ; and in the other were several male Baboons sur- 
rounding two Baboon mothers and their two little ones, caressing the mothers with 
the most pronounced evidences of tenderness of feeling, taking them in their arms 
and pressing them to their hearts, and embracing them in a manner quite human. 
They squabbled about who was to have the pleasure of carrying the Baboon 
babies, and after having passed them from one to the other, returned each one to 
its own mother. 

THE DIANA MONKEY. The goddess Diana has been honored by being 
associated with this monkey on account of a crescent-shaped white band of long 
hair stretching across the forehead (she being goddess of the crescent-shaped 
moon). It is about eighteen inches long when full grown, and the tail is longer 
than the body, and the fur is very pretty. The crescent of white hairs has dark 
edges, and the top of the head is broad and dull grey, spotted with green ; the 
ears are dark and the face also; and the beard and whiskers are white, and the first 
of these projects like a goat's. The broad and upper chest is white, and this color 
is continued under the arms, which at their termination are black-grey. The mid- 
dle of the back is a dark red-brown, and the belly is white with orange tints, and 
these colors are continued down the inside of the thighs. Very little is known 
about them in their wild state, and in captivity they show very adverse disposi- 
tions ; sometimes they are gay and full of fun, and others morose and snappish. 
We once saw one of them in its cage in the Zoological Gardens pull its mate, a 
small Sykes' Monkey, from the top to the bottom by a well-directed pull of the 
tail, and the proceeding reminded one of a very energetic mistress, whose servants 



THE DIANA MONKEY. 



87 



were inattentive, tugging at a bell-rope. The puller was chattering and grimacing 
at his visitors all the time that the pulled was hanging on to everything that came 
in its way during its forced descent; and when it came to the bottom it scrambled 
about and rushed up to its little house again as if it were a frequent and unwilling 
exercise. The Diana also stole its companion's food, such as a piece of apple, by 
putting her arms around its aeck, and squeezing the morsel against its nose, so that 
it was obliged to drop it. 

Mrs. Bowditch, in describing her voyage home from Western Africa, gives an 
interesting account of a Diana monkey which was on board. "We made acquaint- 
ance," she says, " very suddenly, and, to me, very disagreeably, for I had not till 
then conquered the foolish aversion with 
which these animals always inspired me. 
It was a dead calm, the wheel was 
lashed, and all, save myself, below — 
nothing round us but sea and sky, and I 
had sheltered myself with a book in a 
corner protected from the equatorial 
sun. Suddenly, and without noise, 
something leaped upon my shoulders, 
and the tail which encircled my throat 
convinced me that Mr. Jack was my 
assailant. My first impulse was to beat 
him off, in which case I should probably 
have received some injury; but fortun- 
ately, I sat perfectly still and twisting 
himself round he brought his face oppo- 
site to mine and stared at me. I en- 
deavored to speak kindly to him, upon 
which he grinned and chattered, seated 
himself on my knees, and carefully examined my hands. He then tried to pull off 
my rings, and was proceeding to a bite for this purpose when I gave him some bis- 
cuit which happened to lie beside me, and making a bed for him with a handker- 
chief he settled himself comfortably to sleep, and from that moment we were 
sworn allies. The amusement afforded to me and others by Jack made him toler- 
ated when his mischievous propensities would otherwise have condemned him to 
perpetual confinement. He was often banished to an empty hen-coop, but as this 
made no impression upon him I always tried to prevent it, which he knew so well 
that when he had done wrong he either hid himself or sought refuge near me. 
Much more effect was produced by taking him within sight of the panther, who 
always seemed most willing to devour him. On these occasions I held him by the 
tail in front of the cage, but long before I reached it, knowing where he was going, 
he pretended to be dead — his eyes were closed quite fast, and every limb was as 



■■^m 




FACE OF THE DIANA MONK FY. 



APES AND MONKEYS. 



stiff as if there was no life in him. When taken away he would open one eye a 
little to see whereabouts he might be, but if he caught a glimpse of the cage it 
was instantly closed, and he became as stiff as before. He clambered into the 
hammocks, stole the men's knives, tools, handkerchiefs, and even the nightcaps off 
their heads, all of which went into the sea. When biscuit was toasting between 
the bars of the caboose, and the dried herbs boiling in the tin mugs, he would take 
the former out and carry it away, and take out the latter and trail them along the 
planks ; if he burnt his hands he desisted for a day or two ; and he often regaled 
the parrots with the biscuit, biting it in small pieces and feeding them with the 
utmost gravity. At other times he would knock their cages over, lick up the 
water thus spilled, eat the lumps of sugar, and pull the birds' tails; and in this 
manner he killed a beautiful green pigeon belonging to the steward, a specimen of 
which I never saw in any collection. For this he was flogged and imprisoned 
for three days ; and half an hour after he was let out I met him scampering round 
the deck with two blue-faced monkeys on his back, which he often carried about 
in this manner. When he thought fit to ride, he would watch behind a cask on the 
days the pigs were let loose, dart on to their backs as they passed, dig his nails into 
them to keep himself on, and the faster they ran and the more they squealed, the 
happier he seemed to be. His most important misdemeanors, however, were per- 
formed to the injury of his fellow monkeys, of whom he was very jealous. The 
smaller ones were very obsequious to him, and when he called them by a peculiar 
noise, they came, hanging their heads and looking very submissive, and in one 
week two were drowned out of sheer malice. I saw him throw the first overboard, 
and the poor little thing swam after us some time, but the ship was going too fast 
for even a rope to be effectually thrown out in the hope that he would cling to it. 
During one of the calms we so often met with, the men had been painting the out- 
side of the ship, and leaving their pots and brushes on the deck, went down to din- 
ner. No one was above but myself, the helmsman and Jack. The latter beckoned 
and coaxed a black monkey to him ; then, seizing him by the neck, took a brush- 
ful of white paint, and deliberately covered him with it in every direction. The 
helmsman and I burst into a laugh, upon which Jack, dropping his victim, flew up 
the rigging into the maintop, where he stood with his black nose between the bars 
peeping at what was going on below. The little metamorphosed beast began lick- 
ing himself, but the steward being summoned, he washed him with turpentine, and 
no harm was sustained. Many attempts were made to catch the rogue aloft, but 
he eluded all, and when he was driven down by hunger, he watched his oppor- 
tunity and sprang from one of the ropes on to my lap, where he knew he would 
be safe. I fed and interceded for him, so he escaped with only a scolding, which 
he received with an appearance of shame which in him was rather ludicrous.'' 

THE WHITE-NOSED MONKEY is sometimes called the Vaulting Mon- 
key; and in the Zoological Gardens its wonderful agility is shown by its scampering 



THE W HUE-NOSED MONKEY. 



89 



up the side, over the top, and down the opposite side of its cage in a kind of con- 
tinuous somersault. Coming down on all fours with a bang, it does the same thing 
over and over again to attract attention, and it seems as if it were moving in the 
inside of a wheel. The dab of white on the nose distinguishes it, and it comes 
from that paradise of monkeys, the Guinea Coast and the adjoining districts. 

THE TALAPOIN. This is a rare animal, and probably comes from the west 
coast of Africa. It is a pretty little creature and is extremely gentle and intelli- 
gent. The skin is green, and the lower part of the body and the under part of the 
limbs are white. It has large ears, a black "nose, and it has a kind of broad brutus 
on the forehead. 

There are some very interesting points about this little thing, which, in nearly 
all its construction, is like the rest of the Gue- 
nons, but it has a large brain, a short muzzle, a 
thick, long partition in its nose, and only three 
points, or cusps, instead of our, on its last lower 
hind grinders. 

So far as is known, there are no differences 
between the habits of this little monkey and 
the others from the west coast of Africa, and 
therefore its intelligence and deficiencies are 
sufficiently incomprehensible. 

The Green Monkeys live in Senegal, and 
extend as far south as the River Niger, for it 
was on the borders of that river that Adanson, 
a French naturalist, noticed their collecting in 
great troops. The little monkeys were aston- 
ished at his appearance and as they rushed off 
into the forest they broke off, either purposelv 
or by accident, little branches from the tops of 
the trees, whose falling relieved the stillness of 
the woods. He indulged in some very cruel sport at their expense, for al- 
though they had been so silent and noiseless in their gambols, he shot one or two 
without the others being frightened. But when the greater part were more or less 
wounded, they began to get under cover from the shot, some to swing behind large 
branches, some coming to the ground, and the majority jumping from the top of 
one tree to another. Whilst this little scene (petite manege) was going on, this scien- 
tific brute still continued to fire on them, and finally he killed twenty-three in less 
than half an hour. This he did in the space of some twenty toises, and yet not 
one screamed, although they often assembled together, knitting their brows and 
grinding their teeth, as if they intended to attack him. Broderip, in noticing this, 
writes, " I wish they had, with all my heart." 




WHITE NOSED-MONKEY. 



90 APES AND MONKEYS. 



They have, in common with the other Guenons, a fondness for particular parts 
01 their forests, and one band will prevent another from entering its favorite haunts ; 
and this regard for companionship and locality is even seen when they are in cap- 
tivity. Restless, irritable and irascible, they are ever at play, and fighting among 
themselves, but they will turn to expel a stranger. 

It is said that this monkey has obtained an American home, and that it was 
introduced with slaves into the Island of St. Kitts. Many escaped into the woods, 
and have increased considerably in number, so as often to pillage the plantations. 

RED-BELLIED MONKEY. When living at the Zoological Gardens, in the 
Regent's Park, London, Eng., this pretty monkey, with a red chest and belly, and 
slim tail, was very timid, but it liked to be petted by the keeper, being somewhat 
distrustful of its more romping companions. It would take food out of his hand, 
and seemed pleased, and generally played with his fingers, without attempting to 
bite. The canine teeth were very moderately grown. 

This monkey inhabits western Africa, and is at once known by the red belly 
and chest, the white beard and whiskers, and the black band across the forehead. 
It has, moreover, a yellow crown. 

RED MONKEY. The delicate red ground-color of this monkey readily dis- 
tinguishes it from its more favored allies. One in the Zoological Gardens is won- 
derfully human in the expression of its face and beautiful sad-looking large eyes. 
Its pale lips, eyelids and cheeks, and the broadish, pale forehead, with a slightly 
ridged nose, add to its appearance of suffering. It has a moustache, a few hairs 
on its nose, and whiskers, which are very cleanly kept in the proper whisker-line. 
The hair of the forehead forms a counter-curve, whose peak is just in the centre. 
Altogether it is a very pretty animal. 

Bruce, the African traveller, when in Western Africa, took that trouble which 
is ve'ry rarelv done by distinguished travelers in Africa, and observed monkeys in 
a state of nature — the Red Monkey in particular. It is strange, considering the 
omnipresence of the monkey element, that one may look over volume after vol- 
ume of African travels, and very rarely meet with a note or word about them ; but 
such is the case. So our obligation to Bruce is great. He says they descended in 
troops from the tops of the trees to the extremities of the branches, earnestly notic- 
ing, and apparently much amused by, the boats, as they passed along the river. 
They then began to take courage, and pelt the passengers with pieces of wood, 
thus provoking a most unequal combat. When fired upon, they uttered the most 
frightful cries, and although many fell, the survivors seemed by no means willing 
to relinquish the contest; on the contrary, they redoubled their efforts. Some 
flung stones at their adversaries, while others collected something very nasty as a 
missile ; all, in short, displayed a determination of spirit which must at all times 
render them formidable to opponents of weaker powers than themselves. 




THE GREEN AND RED MONKEY! 

91 



92 APES AND MONKEYS. 



The last group of the Guenons are often called the Mangabeys, from a mis- 
taken notion that they come from Madagascar. But there are no monkeys in that 
great island, whose forests are peopled by Lemurs instead. 

THE MANGABEY, or White-eyelid Monkey. The general color of this 
Monkey is a reddish-brown, which becomes decidedly red on the top of the head. 
There is a white band between the eyes, which is continued to each side of the 
back of the neck. A second kind has grey slaty-brown tints, without the white 
spot. 

One thing strikes the observer at once, and that is the very affected way in 
which the monkey sits, with its eyelids half closed; and as the upper ones are 
dead-white, they look almost like doll's eyelids, and as if they did not belong to it. 

They are extremely restless, and are fond of placing themselves in curious atti- 
tudes, and so full of antics are they that it has been erroneously imagined that they 
really have more joints and muscles than the most agile of their allies. They are 
fond of carrying their tails reversed, so as to be on a line parallel with the top of 
the back, and their common expression of disgust is to show their teeth by raising 
the upper lip. It is always droll, frolicsome and good-natured. Sir William Jar- 
dine mentions a female in Mr. Wombwell's menagerie that was most lively, and 
Broderip says: " She performed many of the attitudes of the most experienced 
harlequins, and was remarkably cleanly and careful not to soil her person. When 
feeding, she seldom put her head to the food or dish, but lifted and conveyed it to 
her mouth. She was very fond of bread, milk, and vegetables, and of carrots 
especially." He gives a figure of her— no easy task, for she was never at rest for 
one moment, and her celerity was increased when she perceived she was noticed. 

The Mangabeys are all African, and all their structural peculiarities are those 
of the Guenons. They have the web between the fingers carried as far forward 
as the first joint, and the hair comes close to the knuckles and the beginning of the 
short thumb. In the foot, the toe-thumb is large, and, as usual, widely separated 
from the toes, the second and third of which are united by a web, which reaches 
almost to the last joint near the tips, and the third, fourth, and fifth are united by 
smaller webs. 

THE MACAQUES. This group of monkeys differs much from the lively 
dwellers amongst the woods and trees, which have been described, and the kinds 
contained in it are evidently suited for running quickly on all-fours, and more on 
the ground than amongst the branches. They are not so much like the dog in 
shape as are the Baboons, which will be described next, but still they are, as it were, 
between these and the Guenons in their habits and construction. They have longer 
muzzles than the Guenons, but not so long as the Baboons, and the nostrils open 
high up and obliquely. Their eyes are overshadowed by a prominent brow-ridge, 



THE MACAQUES— THE BONNET MONKEY. 



03 



which gives an air of cunning not seen in the playful Guenons, and also a look of 
fierceness and of mistrust ; and, in fact, the old ones look anything but amiable. 
Their limbs are stout and compactly made, and they display great strength and 




THE RED-BELLIED MONKEY 



width in the shoulders. The hind limbs are, however, longer than the front ones, 
and the hands and feet are well made, the latter being long and having a large heel. 
They all have cheek-pouches and callous pads, or callosities, on their seat, and thus 
resemble the Guenons. 



94 



APES AND MONKEYS. 



THE BONNET MONKEY. This is a very common monkey in menageries 
and zoological gardens, and is always an object of attention, as it is amusing, very 
active, full of tricks and malice, and a great stower away of nuts in its cheek- 
pouches. It is known amongst the other Macaques by its cap of long hair, radiat- 
ing from the crown, on which it rests flat, but it is often parted down the middle. 
It has a long tail, rather a long muzzle, and prominent ridges over the eyes, and 
the forehead is flat. Its fur is olive-grey, and sometimes greenish or brown in tint, 
whilst the under surface is ashy-white. It has large and often flesh-colored ears. 

The young often have their head of hair parted down the middle, and, as their 
face and forehead are pale and not hairy, they have a very human appearance. 

Very good-tempered when pleased, this Macaque enjoys a bit of mischief, and 
if it can steal anything from a visitor it is intensely delighted. But when food is 
offered and then not given, the Bonnet Monkey shows that it considers itself 

wronged, and scolds and screams in a great 
rage. It has a great capacity for accepting 
and stowing away food, and there are often 
great fights if one intrudes upon the store of 
another. Very fond of hugging and nursing 
others, it is equally delighted in searching the 
bodies of its companions for insect life; but, 
although thus amiable, it resents unkindness 
very decidedly and at once. {See page 133.) 

THE BHUNDER. This is a monkey 
the foot and hand of the mangabey. with a medium sized tail, which is well 

known to those Europeans who have lived in 
out-of-the-way places in British India. It is a strong-looking creature when full- 
grown, and has powerful shoulders and limbs ; the tail is about one-third of the 
length of the body, which often attains the length of from one foot and a half to 
two feet. The prevailing color of the hair is olive-green and brown on the back, 
and the naked face is of a pale flesh-color. There is no ruff of hair around the 
neck, and the ears are quite visible, and there is a singular looseness or folding of 
the skin of the throat and bellv. The callosities are often very red, and the insides 
of the legs also. 

F. Cuvier observed the early days of one born in France, and noticed that 
immediately after birth it clung fast to its mother's stomach, holding on with its 
forehands stuck in her fur, and that it did not quit the breast, even during its 
sleep, for fifteen days. In the first day of its existence it appeared to distinguish 
things, and to look at them carefully, and the mother was devoted to it, giving it 
the tenderest attention of a constant and patient nurse. Not a movement or noise 
on its part escaped her, and her maternal solicitude was quite astonishing. The 
weight of the little thing did not interfere with her moving about, and all her 




THE BHUNDER. 



95 



exertions were managed with a view of not incommoding her young charge. She 
never shook it or struck it accidentally against the edges and corners of her house. 
At the end of a fortnight the little one began to detach itself, and from the begin- 
ning of its moving by itself it showed a great amount of vigor, power, and ability 
to run and jump, which human children of a year or two might well envy. It 
held on to the wires of its cage and crawled up and down at will, but the careful 
mother never took her eyes off it, and followed it wherever it went, and even held 
out her hands to prevent it tumbling when it became too venturesome. Indeed, 
she admonished the little one by a gentle touch that it had been away long enough, 
and must come in. At other times it walked on all-fours over the straw, and often 




THE MANGABEY. 

let itself drop down from the top of its cage on to the soft bottom, so as to accus- 
tom itself to fall on all-fours ; then it would jump up the net-work and lay hold and 
scramble with great precision. After awhile, the mother began to teach the young 
one not to be so troublesome to her, and to manage without her, but still she took 
care of it, following it if it was doing anything out of the way and in danger. 
With strength the agility of the creature increased, and its jumps and bounds were 
wonderful, and it never miscalculated its distance or made a false step. After six 
weeks a more substantial nourishment than milk was required, and then a very 
curious spectacle was seen. The attentive mother would not let the little one have 
a bit of all the nice things, but drove it away and scolded it, although it was hun- 
gry. The old one took possession of the fruit and bread which were for both, and 



96 APES AND MONKEYS. 



boxed the little one's ears if it came close and hid up the food. She had hardly any 
more milk, and the young one was in daily want of food, but the old one did not 
appear to act from cruelty or gluttony, but wished to train up the youth, like the 
young Cyrus, to feats of daring and of skill. As hunger pressed, the young one 
became bold, and stole by art what he could not get otherwise. If he was very 
adroit, all the better, and he was commended by being allowed to carry off his 
own. He used to get to the further end of the cage, and, turning his back on his 
mother would begin to gormandize. But even the maternal solicitude was not 
wanting, for she often used to go up to him and snatch a nice tidbit out of his 
jaws. Perhaps this was a mistaken idea, for after awhile a larger quantity of food 
was placed in the cage, and the little one had its quantity without any stealing. 

The Bhunders are sacred in some parts of India, and are left very much to 
themselves; so they assemble, in. troops, and steal from among the natives in a 
very troublesome manner. 

As they are very bold, their habits in the wild state are often observable, their 
slyness and thieving propensities being most amusing. They gather on the roofs 
of the low houses in the bazaars, and look out for occasion to steal. One was 
observed on a roof fronting a sweetmeat shop, and feigning to be asleep; but every 
now and then he looked wistfully at the luscious prizes below. It was, however, 
of no use, for sitting beside his stores was the seller, smoking his pipe, and looking 
decidedly wide awake. This went on for half an hour, when the monkey got up, 
yawned, and stretched himself artfully, as if he had only just awoke. He began 
to play with his tail, and even made believe he was tying knots in it, as if he were 
wholly intent on it ; but ever and anon he gave a sharp, sly look over his shoulder 
at the sweetmeats, but only to see the seller still there smoking away to his heart's 
content, and ruminating concerning prospective customers and profits. The 
monkey still had patience, and amused himself with his fleas, and had a good and 
general scratch ; and he was rewarded, for suddenly the confectioner arose from 
his seat, took his pipe, and turned towards the back door for a fresh supply of 
tobacco. Instantly the Bhunder was on all-fours, and the sweetmeats were before 
him and behind their owner. In another moment he had jumped off the roof, 
cleared the street, and was on the board which was crowded with sugar-plums. 
He, of course, began to cram as many as possible into his cheek-pouches. But, 
alas for the spoiler, there were other pilferers there in the shape of hornets ; his 
sudden descent frightened them, and they flew off, but returned on the instant, and 
to take vengeance. Before he could regain his roof they were all around him, 
stinging here and stinging there with great zeal and passion. His efforts at get- 
ting away from them were frantic, and he scrambled over the rotten roof, displac- 
ing the tiles, which came down with a crash; and at last, when he jumped clear of 
the enraged insects, he came on to a sharp, thorny bush, from which he could not ■ 
extricate himself. He had to spit all the nice things out of his pouches, and, 
screaming with pain — for the thorns were more like fish-hooks than anything else, 



THE BH UNDER. 97 



he sat a picture of misery, barking hoarsely now and then. The fall of the tiles 
brought out a crowd of natives, and they were speedily joined by the confectioner, 
full of revenge. But the culprit was a monkey, and, therefore, an object of ven- 
eration; so a couple of Hindoos managed to rescue him, and he limped off as well 
as he could to a neighboring grove. 

The Hindoos tell many tales of the sagacity of this monkey ; and there is one 
which may be taken as a specimen, although it has been filtered through Mahomme- 
dan pages. A fakir had a monkey which he had brought up from birth. He loved 
it and travelled here and there, taking much care of it. In return the monkey 
behaved like a watch-dog, and was most faithful and watchful. It amused the fakir 
by its endless tricks and mimicry. One day, the fakir placed his carpet in a square 
before the palace of some great shah who had nothing to do, and who looked at 
the fakir and the monkey with great delight. The fakir had made a pie ; there 
were some pieces of birds' flesh in it, and it was placed on some lighted charcoal 
to be cooked. The monkey sat watching, and the fakir thought he would like a 
stroll until dinner was ready, knowing that his faithful follower would look after 
the cooking. But the shah saw more than the fakir ; for, after a while, the smell 
of the meat came strongly into the monkey's nostrils, and he began to feel hungry. 
Soon he was very hungry, and then he just lifted up the edge of the crust, and 
could not refrain from taking a tiny bit— just a little leg. This was so nice that he 
took a little more, and finally eat all. The crust was left on the grass, and then 
the sinner suddenly remembered his master. The shah was in ecstacies, wondering 
what would come next. After due consideration, the monkey remembered that he 
usually sat on a very beautiful flesh-colored "callosity,'' and he had noticed that 
several crows and other birds had been hovering about whilst he consumed his 
master's dinner. He instantly feigned to be dead, and hiding his head, gave the 
birds the benefit of the scarlet appearance. One came down instantly with a 
swoop ; but the monkey was too quick, and the bird was seized and strangled in an 
instant. Rapidly plucking off the feathers, the monkey pulled it to pieces, and put 
it in the pie, and sat looking happy, contented, and extremely virtuous. The shah 
was instantly struck with this wonderful display of instinct, and the story goes on 
to say that he promoted the fakir to an important post under government. 

THE MOOR MONKEY. It lives in Borneo, and is about eighteen inches 
in length. It has a flat nose, with nostrils opening well outwards, and the eyes are 
hazel, the pupils being very large. The length of the bones of the tail is not 
enough to carry it beyond the callosities, which are of a roseate hue. 

When young the skull is short, and there is no great projection over the eye ; 
but with age the upper part of the face becomes very square, and the eyebrow 
ridges grow. Now, this gloomy-looking monkey offers some points of interest, 
for there is another one, called the Booted Monkey, which cannot be distinguished 
from it when both are young. With age, however, the last-named one becomes 
7 



APES AND MONKEYS. 



oily black, has a longer tail, and the hair on the head has a bushier appearance. 
But can these distinctions be accepted as showing a difference in the species? 
Probably not; and it will be for the student to consider that monkeys may have 
races and varieties which really pertain but to one species, and yet are separated 
by the naturalist. 

THE WANDEROO. Wanderoo is the English way of spelling and pro- 
nouncing the \^ord by which the native inhabitants of Ceylon call all monkeys; 




THE MOOR MACAQUE. 

and it is certainly misapplied in this instance, for the animal is not truly one of 
the Cingalese monkeys, although it has been brought into the island. It is a small 
animal, probably never reaching two feet in length, and the tail may be that of ten 
or twelve inches ; but, from the stories which have been told and invented, one 
would conceive the Wanderoo to be a giant in wickedness as well as in physical 
power. 

They have slim bodies, which are covered with deep black hair, and there is a 
longish tail of the same color, ended by a little tuft. Their head looks very large, 



THE WANDEROO. 



99 



because of a mane, or ruff, and beard which surrounds the face, sticking out in a 
wild kind of way. This mass of long hair is either grey or white in color, and 
adds to the sly look of the broad face, soft dull eyes, and rather long black muzzle, 

A former dignitary of the Roman Catholic Church describes the Wanderoo. 
He says that this is perfectly black, is clothed with glossy hair, and has a white 
beard around his head and chin, measuring rather more than a palm in length. To 
him all the other monkeys show such deep respect, that in his presence they are 
submissive, and humble themselves as if they were aware of his pre-eminence. 
The princes and great lords esteem him highly, for that he is, above every other, 
gifted with gravity, capacity, and a wise appearance. Easily is he taught to per- 
form a variety of ceremonies and 
courtesies, and all these in so 
serious and perfect a style as to 
make it a great wonder that they 
should so exactly be enacted by 
an irrational animal. This excel- 
lent character does not appear to 
have been peculiar to all the 
Wanderoos; for some have been 
described as savage and disgust- 
ing in the extreme, and as most 
vicious and malignant in captiv- 
ity. But it is probable that the 
gentleness of disposition which 
has been so noticed by those who 
have kept them kindly was 
spoiled by teasing and maltreat- 
ment. 

The showmen call this mon- 
key the "Child of the Sun;" and 
Broderip suggests that it is the ruff, with the head peeping through, which gives a 
faint likeness to old Sol over a public-house door: and that probably the dark 
color of the animal impressed his exhibitors with the great heat he enjoyed in his 
Indian home. 

Certainly they like the sun ; and we have often seen a pair at the Zoological 
Gardens sunning themselves after their breakfast with great delight. They sit on 
a bar, close to the wires of the cage, and climb four or five feet up it, clinging 
close to their iron prison, just in the range of a sunbeam. They spread out their 
black hands, and enjoy the glare, becoming sleepy and disinclined to pay any 
attention to nuts, cakes, and other temptations. They peer down at you with their 
expressive eyes, and give an occasional twist to their tail, to pull it close to them, 
probably after a long experience of the habits of the other monkeys in the cage, 




^Pf^ 



WT^ 



FACE OF THE WANDEROO. 



100 APES AND MONKEYS. 



who certainly have not an overwhelming respect for them. It is curious to see 
them climbing slowly, and without the great exertion and bounds of some of the 
Guenons, and to notice their marching, head and back downwards, whilst they 
crawl along the under-side of the roof of their house, looking down every now and 
then in a cunning sort of manner 

Broderip used to watch one, and a right merry fellow was he. "He would 
run up his pole and throw himself over the cross-bar, so as to swing backwards 
and forwards as he hung suspended by the chain which held the leathern strap 
that girt his loins. The expression of his countenance was peculiarly innocent ; 
but he was sly — very sly — and not to be approached with impunity by those who 
valued their headgear. He would sit demurely on his cross perch, pretending to 
look another way, or to examine a nut-shell for some remnant of kernel, till a 
proper victim came within his reach; when down the pole he rushed,, and up he 
was again in the twinkling of an eye, leaving the bare-headed surprised one, minus 
his hat, at least, which he had the satisfaction of seeing undergoing a variety of 
transformations, under the plastic hands of the grinning monster, not at all calcu- 
lated to improve a shape which the taste of a Moore (the hat maker of the day), 
perhaps, had designed and executed. It was whispered that he once scalped a 
bishop, who ventured too near, notwithstanding the caution given to his lordship 
by another dignitary of the church, and that it was some time before he could be 
made to give up, with much grinning and chattering, the weii-powdered wig which 
he had profanely transferred from that sacred poll to his own. There was a mel- 
ancholy about this creature. He would climb his pole, ascend to his elevated 
house-top, and there sit for half an hour together, gazing wistfully at the distant 
portion of the park — which presented, when viewed from his position, the appear- 
ance of a thick wood — every now and then looking down, as if he was contrasting 
the smooth, sharp-pointed pole, to which they fettered him, with the rugged, liv- 
ing 'columns of the evergreen palaces' of his fathers." The Wanderoo often loses 
some of his tail in captivity ; but it should be, when full-grown, terminated by a 
tuft, which, in the imagination of some, has been considered quite lion-like. Hav- 
ing large cheek-pouches, this monkey, very un-lion-like in disposition, feeds rather 
rapidly, and stores much away for future occasions. In doing this, it either 
carries the food to the mouth with the hand or places its mouth to the object. It 
moves on all-fours, and has callosities; and these, and the tail, give it a very baboon- 
like appearance. Nothing is known of their habits in their wild state. 



CHAPTER VI. 

DOG-SHAPED MONKEYS— CONTINUED. 

THE BABOONS are more brute-like than the rest of the monkeys in appear- 
ance, and therefore have not that singular resemblance to man which many of the 




HE BABOON. 



others possess either generally or in their faces. Their dog-shaped head, a long 
muzzle, and a curious fullness on either side of the long nose, distinguish them at 
once from any other Quadrumana. With one or two exceptions the nostrils are 
quite at the end of the muzzle, and are separated by a narrow piece of gristle; they 
rather project beyond the nostril, and can be placed close to the ground as the 

101 



102 APES AND MONKEYS. 



baboon runs along to follow or track a scent. Their eyes are close together, and 
are deeply set, their ears are moderately large, and their neck is rather long, and 
as their common position is squatting on the hind quarters like a dog, the long 
muzzle is kept straight out, or occasionally is hung down over the chest. They 
have a short body, which seems compressed at the sides, and the shoulders are 
wide, the chest being capacious. As they run very much like dogs, the hind-quarters 
are strong, and the hind limbs longer than the front ones, and have a decided 
heel and strong muscles. They trot and canter, but rarely bound or jump over 
the ground, and they scramble and climb up rocks with the aid of the power of 
prehension, which is greater even in the hind extremities, the thumb being strong 
but short. When standing on all-fours, the shoulders are high, and the body slopes 
slightly to the tail, which is stuck high up, and some have short and others long 
tails. 

They have the cheek-pouches, and the curious callosities on their stern, which 
sometimes are very large and vividly colored ; and their hair is many-colored, 
being long or short according to the species. The tail is curved upward close to its 
origin, and then it droops downwards when the baboon is quiet in mind and body; 
but when excited it sticks out and is flourished about with great vigor. Sometimes 
ended with a tuft, in some kinds it is not, and in one or two of the great dog- 
headed there is no tail, or only a miserable rudiment of it. In spite of their brutal 
looks — for the faces of some are swollen out, or rather the side of the nose, and 
colored and ridged in a marvelously ugly manner — they are very interesting, on 
account of their habits, cleverness, sociability amongst themselves, and their cour- 
age. Usually very amiable and full of fun when young, they afford much amuse- 
ment when kept well and treated with kindness. They like to be petted, and will 
present their backs to be scratched, and may be taught to beg for food, to hold 
things and to play endless tricks. This "jolly" disposition is seen amongst the 
wild youngsters, who are ever on the watch for an occurrence of mischief and 
practical joking, the sedate behavior of their elders affording opportunities for 
endless mummeries and impudences. What can be more tempting to a young and 
light-hearted Cynocephalus than to disturb the solemn thoughts of the patriach of 
the troop? There sits the elder of elders on his haunches, his tail outspread 
behind, the long nose slightly stuck up, and the fine long mane, lion-like, encircling 
the throat and covering the shoulders. Perched upon a block of stone, higher 
than the rest, he is an object of reverential awe to the elders of the band. But 
often enough some restless little ape. after squatting on a stone and mimicking the 
Nestor of the tribe, forgets himself, and after much dodging here and there, and 
running to and fro, ventures to pull that sacred tail as only monkeys pull. All the 
rage of Thoth is, however, slumbering in that quiet old male. His cares and 
watchintrs have triumphed over any gaiety he ever had. Making no allowances 
for the follies of youth, he pounces without wavering on the offender. Squeals, 
squeaks, and howls follow the cuffs, pinches, and bites, and the little wretch makes 



THE BABOONS. 103 



off to the bosom of his mother, who snarls, grins, and shows her teeth, using 
language awful in monkeydom, and muttering not loud but deep. The mothers in 
the immediate neighborhood sympathize and proclaim their indignation with low 
grunts and much pantomime suggestive of reprisals, but they all know better than 
to do anything of the sort, as they have experienced the weight of the paternal 
arm themselves so often. 

With age, any amiability of disposition is replaced by ferocity and greedy 
brutality, and is particularly increased in captivity, as the temper is usually 
severely tried by the tricks and teasings of the visitors. 

THE SACRED BABOON. Lise most, if not all, of its fellow baboons, this 
interesting creature prefers sandy ground to the dense forest land. They very 
rarely are seen on trees, they avoid woods, and keep mainly in the open country, 
preferring rocky precipices. On rising one morning Blanford saw a singular spec- 
tacle. A large troop of baboons, at least two hundred in number, were hunting 
for any corn dropped upon the ground in the place where the horses had been 
picketed. They were the first of the great dog-faced apes which had been seen, 
although they became familiar enough afterwards. There was no mistaking them, 
for their likenesses to the engravings of the Sacred Ape on Egyptian monuments 
was exact. The uncouth looking male is, indeed, a formidable looking animal, 
something between a lion and a French poodle in appearance, with long hair over 
his shoulders and foreparts. Their impudence was excessive, and the day before 
they had come into the commissariat enclosure and commenced pilfering the 
grain. 

The herds vary in number; some cannot include less than 250 to 300 monkeys 
of all ages. The old males are always most conspicuous animals, all the forepart 
of their body being covered with long hair. They usually take the lead when the 
troop is moving, some of them also bringing up the rear; others placing them- 
selves on high rocks or bushes, and keeping a sharp look-out after enemies. A 
troop collected on a rocky crag presents a most singlar appearance. Sometimes 
large numbers were seen assembled around springs in the evening near Senafe, where 
the want of water was great. On such occasions, every jutting rock and every 
little stone more prominent than the rest was occupied by a patriarch of the herd, 
who sat with the gravity and watchfulness befitting his grizzled hair, waiting 
patiently until the last of his human rivals had slaked his thirst and that of his 
cattle. Around, the females were mainly occupied in taking care of the young, 
the smaller monkeys amusing themselves by gambolling about. Occasionally, if a 
young monkey became too noisy, or interfered with the repose of one of his 
seniors, he "caught it" in most unmistakable style, and was dismissed with many 
cuffs, a wiser if not a better monkey. It feeds an wild fruits, berries, and seeds, 
and often on the buds of trees and on young shoots. On the highlands troops of 
them were frequently seen in the fields, engaged in searching for a small tuber, the 



104 APES AND MONKEYS. 



root of the edible Cypcrus, which was also the resource of the half starved men and 
women in the country of the Tigre. 

Mansfield Parkyns gives some very interesting and explicit statements about 
the intelligence and discipline of the Baboons. He says: " The monkeys, espec- 
ially the Cynocephali, who are astonishingly clever fellows, have their chiefs, whom 
they obey implicitly, and a regular system of tactics in war, pillaging expeditions, 
robbing cornfields, etc. These monkey forays are managed with the utmost regu- 
larity and precaution. A tribe coming down to feed from their village on the 
mountain (usually a cleft in the face of some cliff) brings with it all its members, 
male and female, old and young. Some — the elders of the tribe distinguishable by 
the quantity of mane which covers their shoulders, like a lion's — take the lead, 
peering cautiously over each precipice before they descend, and climbing to the 
top of every rock which may afford a better view of the road before them. Others 
have their posts as scouts on the flanks or rear, and all fulfill their duties with the 
utmost vigilance, calling out at times, apparently to keep order among the motley 
pack, which forms the main body, or to give notice of the approach of any real 
or imagined danger. Their tones of voice on these occasions are so distinctly 
raised, that a person much accustomed to watch their movements will at length 
fancy — and perhaps with some truth — that he can understand their signals. 

•' The main body is composed of females; inexperienced males, and the young 
of the tribe. Those of the females who have small children carry them on their 
back. Unlike the dignified march of the leaders, the rabble go along in a most 
disorderly manner, trotting on and chatting without taking the least heed of any- 
thing, apparently confiding in the vigilance of their scouts. Here a few of the 
youth linger behind to pluck the berries off some tree, but not for long, for the 
rear-guard coming up forces them to regain their places. Then a matron pauses 
for a moment to suckle her offspring, and, not to lose time, dresses its hair whilst 
it is taking its meal. Another younger lady, probably excited by jealousy, or by 
some sneering look or word, pulls an ugly mouth at her neighbor, and then, utter- 
ing a shrill squeal highly expressive of rage, vindictively snatches at her rival's 
leg or tail with her hand, and gives, her, perhaps, a sharp bite in the hind-quarters. 
This provokes a retort, and a most unladylike quarrel ensues, till a loud bark of 
command from one of the chiefs calls them to order. A single cry of alarm makes 
them all halt and remain on the qui vive till another bark in a different tone reas- 
sures them, and they then proceed on their march. 

" Arrived at the cornfields, the scouts take their position on the eminences all 
around, while the remainder of the tribe collect provisions, with the utmost expedi- 
dition, filling their cheek-pouches as full as they can hold, and then tucking the 
seeds of corn under their armpits. Now, unless, there be a partition of the col- 
lected spoil, how do the scouts feed? for I have watched them several times, and 
never observed them quit for a moment their post of duty till it was time for the 
tribe to return, or till some indication of danger induced them to take to flight. 



THE BABOONS. 



105 



They show also the same sagacity in searching for water, discovering at once the 
places where it is most readily found in the sand, and then digging for it with their 
hands just as men would, relieving one another in the work, if the quantity of sand 
to be removed be considerable. Their dwellings are often chosen in clefts of rocks, 
and are always placed so high that they are inaccessible to most other animals, and 
sufficiently sheltered from the rain. The leopard is their worst enemy, for being 
nearly as good a climber as they, he sometimes attacks them, and then there is a 




THE SACRED BABOON. 

tremendous uproar. I remember one night, when outlying on the frontier, being 
disturbed in my sleep by the most awful noises I ever heard, at least they appeared 
as such, exaggerated bv my dreams. I started up thinking that it was an attack of 
negroes, but soon recognized the voices of my Baboon friends from the mountain 
above. On my return home I related the fact to the natives, who told me that a 
leopard was probably the cause of all this panic. I am not aware how he succeeds 
amongst them. The people say that he sometimes manages to steal a young one 
and make off, but that he seldom ventures to attack a full-grown ape. He would 
doubtless find such an one an awkward customer; for the ape's great strength and 



106 APES AND MONKEYS. 



activity, and the powerful canine teeth with which he is furnished, would render 
him a formidable enemy, were he from desperation, forced to stand and defend his 
life. It is most fortunate that their courage is only sufficiently great to induce 
them to act on the defensive. This indeed they only do against a man when driven 
to it by fear; otherwise, they generally prefer prudence to valor. Had their com- 
bativeness been proportioned to their physical powers, coming as they do in hordes 
of two or three hundred, it would have been impossible for the natives to go out. 
of the village except in parties, armed, and instead of little boys, regiments of 
armed men would be required to guard the cornfields." 

A traveller, relating his experience with these Baboons, writes as follows: 
" The first band I saw was just resting after their morning ramble. I had seen 
the tall forms of the males from some distance, but had taken them for rocks, as 
these Apes resemble them when they are still. I was first undeceived by a repeated 
cry, which sounded like a shrill cry of ' Ruck.' All heads were turned our way, 
and only the young ones went on with their games. Probably the whole herd 
would have stopped in this attitude had not we had two dogs with us that we kept 
to keep off hyenas from the house. These answered the cries of the apes, and we 
immediately noticed a commotion among the herd. They started off and disap- 
peared. Much to our astonishment, at the next bend of the road, we saw the 
whole band in a long row clinging on to what seemed a perpendicular rock. This 
was too much for us, and we determined to have a shot at them. Unfortunately, 
the rock was too high for a sure aim. Anyhow, we hoped to disturb them. The 
first shot had a wonderfdl effect. A tremendous barking and shrieking was the 
answer. Then the whole band moved on, climbing over the rocks in a most aston- 
ishing manner, where it seemed' almost impossible to find a footing. We fired 
about six shots, though it was impossible to be sure of hitting. It was most comi- 
cal to see the whole band, at every shot, cling on to the rock as if they thought 
the earth would give way under them. The next turn we found them no longer 
on high ground, but in a valley, where they were going through to get to the hills 
beyond. Part of the band had crossed, but most were still behind. Our dogs 
stopped a minute, and then rushed in among the herd. So soon as they got there 
all the old males rushed from the rocks, formed a circle round the dogs, and 
opened their mouths, beat the earth, and looked so fierce that the dogs retreated 
with all speed. Of course we encouraged them to return to the fight, and in the 
meanwhile the apes had got across the valley. As the dogs returned to the attack, 
there were only a few in the valley, and among them a young one of about six 
months old. As it saw the dogs it cried out, and fled to the rocks, where our dogs 
brought it to bay, and we flattered ourselves that we should catch it. Proudly and 
quietly, without troubling himself about us, came an old male back from the other 
side, walked fearlessly between the dogs, climbed slowly up the rock, and took off 
the young one in triumph." Their regard for their mutual safety is even seen in 
captivity, for it has happened that when a baboon, who has been extremely savage, 



THE BABOONS. 107 



unbearable and mischievous in his compartment, had to be chained to be punished, 
the others tried to protect him. 

" Many kinds of monkeys," writes Mr. Darwin, " have a strong- taste for tea, 
coffee, and spirituous liquors ; they will also, as I have myself seen, smoke tobacco 
with pleasure." The wild baboons of Northeastern Africa are often caught in 
consequence of their naughty propensity and love of a "drop." The natives fill 
some vessels with strong beer, and put them out in places where they look particu- 
larly tempting to the thirsty. The baboons, ever on the watch for something new 
and to steal, see the pitchers and pans, and of course just taste their contents. 
Feeling happy and enlivened, after awhile they try again, and finally drink long 
and deeply, becoming in a short time decidedly tipsy and unable to take care of 
themselves. Drunk and incapable would be the accusation against them by native 
police. Unfortunately for the tipplers, their punishment is greater than the crime; 
and not only do they suffer all the miseries of headache, thirst, and bodily depres- 
sion, but they lose their liberty also, and not for a time only. The natives, know- 
ing that after a few hours they may expect to find the baboons incapable of biting, 
fighting, or running away, go out and search for their victims, and bring them 
home and place them in durance vile. The next morning they awake to a sense of 
their condition. They hold their aching heads with both hands, and look with a 
most pitiable expression. Brehm saw some of them in this plight, and gives a 
most amusing description of their grimaces and laughable conduct. A little wine 
or beer was offered to some who had recovered from their debauch, but they would 
have nothing to do with it at the time. They turned away with disgust, but they 
relished the juice of some lemons which was given to them. 

Mansfield Parkyns asserts that the cleverness of these baboons depends in 
some measure upon their power of reason, and not entirely on that instinct with 
which all animals are endowed, and which serves them only to procure the neces- 
saries of life and to defend themselves against their enemies. In proof he relates 
an anecdote, of which he was an eye-witness: " At Khartoom, the capital of the 
provinces of Upper Nubia, I saw a man showing a large male and two females of 
this breed, who performed several clever tricks at his command. I entered into 
conversation with him as to their sagacity, the mode of teaching them, and various 
other topics relating to them. Speaking of his male monkey, he said that he was 
the most dexterous thief imaginable, and that every time he was exhibited he stole 
dates and other provisions sufficient for his food for the day. In proof of this he 
begged me to watch him for a few minutes. I did so, and presently the keeper led 
him to a spot where a date seller was sitting on the ground with his basket beside 
him. Here his master put him through his evolutions, and although I could per- 
ceive that the monkey had an eye to the fruit, yet so completely did he disguise 
his intentions, that no careless observer would have noticed it. He did not at first 
appear to care about approaching the basket, but gradually brought himself nearer 
and nearer, till at last he got quite close to the owner. In the middle of one of his 



108 APES AND MONKEYS. 



feats he suddenly started up from the ground on which he was lying stretched out 
like a corpse, and uttering a cry as if of pain and rage, fixed his eyes full on the 
face of the date seller, and then, without moving the rest of his body, stole as 
many dates as he could hold in one of his hind hands. The date man, being stared 
out of countenance, and his attention diverted by this extraordinary movement, 
knew nothing about the theft till a by-stander told him of it, and then he joined 
heartily in the laugh that was raised against him. The monkey having very 
adroitly popped the fruit into his cheek-pouches, had moved oft a few yards, 
when a boy in the crowd round him pulled him sharply by the tail. Conscience- 
stricken, he fancied that it had been done in revenge by the date-seller whom he 
had robbed ; and so, passing close by the true offender and behind the legs of two 
or three others, he fell on the unfortunate fruiterer, and would no doubt have bit- 
ten him severely, but for the interference of his master, who came to the rescue.'' 
Darwin tells a laughable anecdote of a baboon, but does not mention the kind. 
He saw in the Zoological Gardens a baboon who always got in a furious rage when 
his keeper took out a letter or book and read it aloud to him ; and his rage was so 
violent that, as Mr. Darwin witnessed, on one occasion he bit his own leg till the 
blood flowed. 

THE PIC-TAILED BABOON, or Ckacma, has a fine black tail, which is 
rather more than half the length of the body, and it has a tuft of long black hair 
at its tip. It is carried like that of the other long-tailed baboons, being curved 
upward at first, and then falling down straight. Nearly all the fur of the body is 
a uniform dark brown, almost black, mixed throughout with a dark green shade. 
It is long and shaggy, particularly on the neck and shoulders of the males. If a 
solitary hair be pulled out, it will be found to be very curiously ornamented. It 
has a root, like all hairs, springing from a little pimple under the scarf-skin, and its 
color is at first of a light grey color. Then it is marked with wide rings of color, 
which are perfectly distinct, and they are alternately black and dark green, but 
sometimes they are intermixed with a few of a lighter or yellowish shade. The 
face and ears are naked, as are also the palms and soles, and there are small whis- 
kers, grey in color and brushed backward. Naked as are the face, ears, and hands, 
the skin is of a very dark violet-blue color, with a pale ring surrounding each eye. 
Strange to say, the upper eyelids are white. 

Although the young Chacmas are playful enough, and are full of nonsense and 
fun in captivity, they, like all their kindred baboons, become surly, ferocious, and 
unsafe as they grow old and have their bodies perfectly developed to the perfection 
of baboonism. That is to say, when the face, jaws, and teeth become as large as 
they ever will be, and the body becomes as short and muscular as possible. They 
then scowl at the visitor, and grind and show their great teeth at the slightest 
provocation, grumbling and growling also, and in fact, to quote the words of a 
very precise naturalist, "The fierceness and brutality of their character and man- 



THE PIG- TAILED BABOON. 



109 



ners correspond with the expression of their physiognomy." Nevertheless, they 
are amenable to soft influences. In spite of their savage and untamable disposi- 
tion, they are influenced by that most potent of all attractions. They are, in the 
language of the writer just quoted, " agitated by the passions of love or jealousy. 




THE PIG-TAILED BABOON. 



In captivity they are thrown into the greatest agitation at the appearance of young 
females." Not females of the baboon tribe, but those who, under all circum- 
stances, are now called ladies. "It is a common practice," continues the writer, 
" among itinerant showmen, to excite the natural jealousy of these baboons by 



110 APES AND MONKEYS. 



caressing or offering to kiss the young females who resort to their exhibitions, and 
the sight never fails to excite in these animals a degree of rage bordering on irenzy. 
On one occasion, a large baboon of this species escaped from his place of confine- 
ment in the Jardin des Plantes in Paris, and far from showing any disposition to 
return to his cage, severely wounded two or three of his keepers who attempted 
to recapture him. After many ineffectual attempts to induce him to return quietly, 
they at length hit upon a plan which was successful. There was a small grated 
window at the back part of the den, at which one of the keepers appeared, in com- 
pany with the daughter of the superintendent, whom he appeared to kiss and caress 
within view of the animal. No sooner did the baboon witness this familiarity than 
he flew into the cage with the greatest fury, and endeavored to unfasten the grat- 
ing of the window which separated him from the object of his jealousy. Whilst 
employed in this vain attempt, the keepers took the opportunity of fastening the 
door, and securing him once more in his place of confinement. Nor is this a soli- 
tary instance of the influence which women can exert over the passions of these 
savage animals. It is said that, generally intractable and incorrigible whilst under 
the management of men, it usually happens that baboons are most effectually tamed 
and led to even more than ordinary obedience in the hands of women, whose atten- 
tions they often repay with gratitude and affection." 

All the Chacmas, however, are not furiously jealous, or fighters, or kidnappers 
of women, for many have excellent memories of kindnesses, and do not fail to 
express their gratitude. Thus Sir Andrew Smith was recognized by a baboon at 
the Cape of Good Hope, with much evidence of satisfaction, after he had been 
absent for nine months. The females are often very tender and affectionate. One 
of them, an old female, adopted a little Rhesus Monkey, and took all sorts of 
care of it ; but when a young Drill and Mandrill were placed in the cage she 
seemed to perceive that those monkeys, though distinct species, were her nearer 
relations, for she at once rejected the Rhesus, and adopted both of them. The 
young Rhesus was greatly discontented at being thus rejected, and it would, like a 
naughty child, annoy and attack the young Drill and Mandrill whenever it could 
do so safely, this conduct exciting great indignation in the old baboon. Another 
female baboon had so capacious a heart that she not only adopted young monkeys 
of other species, but stole young dogs and cats, which she continually carried 
about. Her kindness, however, did not go so far as to share her food with her 
adopted offspring. An adopted kitten scratched this affectionate and selfish old 
thing, who certainly had a fine intellect, for she was much astonished at being 
scratched, and immediately examined the kitten's feet, and without more ado bit 
off the claws ! 

Le Vaillant in his African travels was accompanied by a monkey, which was 
probably one of these Chacmas. It lived on very good terms with cocks and hens, 
thus disproving the antipathy which tradition has handed down as existing between 
these very different creatures. He was amused at the one and stole the eggs of the 



THE PIG-TAILED BABOON. Ill 

other. In fact, he not only tasted the eggs of his own accord, but was made to 
taste all sorts of fowls and nuts for the benefit of the travelers, who feared being 
poisoned. If this creature, which was called " Kees," refused them, they were left 
untouched by those who had a very sensible opinion of his instinct. Besides being 
taster he was watch-dog. " By his cries," writes the traveler, "and other expres- 
sions of fear, we were always informed of the approach of an enemy before my 
dogs could discover it. They were so accustomed to his voice that they slept in 
perfect security, and never went the rounds, on which account I was very angry, 
fearing that I should no longer find that indispensable assistance which I had a 
right to expect if any disorder or fatal accident should deprive me of my faithful 
guardians. However, when he had once given the alarm, they all stopped to watch 
the signal, and on the least motion of his eyes, or the shaking of his head, I have 
seen them all rush forward, and run far away in the quarter to which they observed 
his looks directed. I often carried him along with me in my hunting excursions, 
during which he would amuse himself climbing up the trees in order to search for 
game, of which he was remarkably fond. Sometimes he discovered honey in the 
crevices of rocks, or in hollow trees, but when he found nothing, when fatigue and 
exercise had whetted his appetite, and when he began to be seriously oppressed 
with hunger, a scene took place which appeared to me exceedingly comic. When 
he could not find game or honey, he searched for roots, and ate them with relish, 
especially one of a particular species, which, unfortunately for me, I found excel, 
lent and very refreshing, and which I wanted greatly to partake of But Kees was 
very cunning. When he found any of this root, if I was not near him to claim my 
part, he made great haste to devour it, having his eyes directed all the time towards 
me. By the distance I had to go before I could approach him he judged of the 
time that he had to eat it alone, and I indeed arrived too late. Sometimes, how- 
ever, when he was deceived in his calculation, and when I came upon him sooner 
than he expected, he instantly endeavored to conceal the morsels from me ; but by 
means of a blow well applied I compelled him to restore the theft ; and in my turn 
becoming master of the envied prey, he was obliged to receive laws from the 
offended party. Kees entertained no rancor or hatred, and I easily made him com. 
prehend how detestable was that base selfishness of which he had set me an exam- 
ple. To tear up these roots Kees employed an ingenious method, which afforded 
me much amusement. He laid hold of the tuft of leaves with his teeth, and press- 
ing his four paws firmly against the earth, and drawing his head backwards, the 
root generally followed. When this method did not succeed, he seized the tuft as 
before, as close to the earth as he could, then throwing his heels over his head, the 
root always yielded to the jerk he gave it. In our marches, when he found himself 
tired, he got upon the back of one of my dogs, which had the complaisance to 
carry him for whole hours together. One only, which was larger and stronger 
than the rest, ought to have served him for this purpose; but the cunning animal 
well knew how to avoid this drudgery. The moment he perceived Kees on his 



112 APES AND MONKEYS. 

shouiders, he remained motionless and suffered the caravan to pass on, without 
ever stirring from the spot. The timorous Kees still persisted ; but as soon as he 
began to lose sight of us he was obliged to dismount, and both he and the dog ran 
with all their might to overtake us. For fear of being surprised, the dog dexter- 
ously suffered him to get before him, and watched him with great attention. In 
short, he had acquired an ascendancy over my whole pack, for which he was per- 
haps indebted to the superiority of his instinct ; for among animals, as among men, 
address often gets the better of strength. While at his meals Kees could not 
endure guests; if any of the dogs approached too near him at that time, he gave 
them a hearty blow, which these poltroons never returned, but scampered away as 
fast as they could. It appeared to me extremely singular, and I could not account 
for it, that next to the serpent, the animal which he most dreaded was one of his 
own species; whether it was that he was sensible that his being tamed had deprived 
him of a great part of his faculties, and that fear had got possession of his senses, 
or that he was jealous and dreaded a rivalry in my friendship. Sometimes he 
heard others of the same species making a noise in the mountains ; and notwith- 
standing his terror, he thought proper, 1 know not for what reason, to reply to 
them. When they heard his xoice they approached; but as soon as he perceived 
any of them he fled with horrible cries ; and running between our legs, implored 
the protection of everybody, while his limbs quivered through fear. We found it 
no easy matter to calm him ; but he gradually resumed after some time his natural 
tranquility. He was very much addicted to thieving, a fault common to almost all 
domestic animals ; but in Kees it became a talent, the ingenious efforts of which I 
admired, and notwithstanding all the correction bestowed on him by my people, 
who took the matter seriously, he was never amended. He knew perfectly well 
how to untie the ropes of a basket to take provisions from it; and, above all, milk, 
of which he was remarkably fond ; more than once he has made me go without 
any. I often beat him pretty severely myself; but when he escaped from me he 
did not appear at my tent till towards night." " Milk in baskets!" why truly the 
term " basket," as applied to a vessel for holding milk, appears to require some 
explanation ; but it was really carried in baskets woven by the Yonaquas, of reeds 
so delicate and so close in texture that they might be employed in carrying water 
or any liquid. The abstraction of the milk may be considered as a kind of set-off 
against the appropriation of Kees' favorite root by his master. 

THE COMMON BABOON. They are very common in the half wild and 
tame condition ; and as they often have to take care of themselves in the midst of a 
very restless and half-starving set of men, their senses become sharpened, and their 
intelligence becomes exalted in a most curious manner. But nothing is known of 
them in the wild state. 

They are large animals, and their hair is of a uniform yellowish-brown color, 
slightly shaded with sandy or light red tints. The whiskers are of a light fawn- 



THE COMMON BABOON 



113 



color, and the face, ears, and hands are naked and black ; the upper eyelids are 
white and naked, and the tail is about one-half the length of the body, but. it has 
no tuft. 

Buff on had one that was lull grown, and it was as savage as well could be. It 




exhibited all the ferocity of disposition and intractability of nature common to the 
rest of its kind when full grown. " It was not," says he, " altogether hideous, and 
yet it excited horror. It appeared to be continually in a state of savage ferocity, 
grinding its teeth, perpetually restless, agitated by unprovoked fury. It was 
8 



114 APES AND MONKEYS. 



obliged to be shut up in an iron cage, of which it shook the bars so powerfully 
with its hands as to inspire the spectators with apprehension. It was a stoutly-built 
animal, whose nervous limbs and compressed form indicated great force and 
agilit)^ ; and although the length and thickness of its shaggy coat made it appear to 
be much larger than it was in reality, it was nevertheless so strong and active that it 
might have readily resisted the attacks of several unarmed men. 

Although ferocious in old age, they are amusing, tractable, teachable, and even 
affectionate when young; they know and like their master, are orderly when with 
him, can be taught all sorts of tricks, and they even like the young of other ani- 
mals as pets. There are, of course, all sorts of stories told about them, some of 
which are true, for they were told by reliable naturalists from the results of their 
own experience, but the majority have too much of the wonderful in them, and are 
clearly the result of Eastern imaginations. A distinguished naturalist and travel- 
ler took much pains with some baboons, and learned much of their habits and 
curious tricks, and his first pupil was amusing enough. Of course baboons differ 
like higher animals in their temper and lightness of disposition ; some are grumpy 
and stupid, and others are as friendly and frolicsome as a genially-disposed dog. 
One of these last came into his hands, and was, for a baboon, quite amiable looking, 
full of vivacity, and possessed of a vast amount of animal spirits and talent for the 
mischievous. He had a place set apart for him near one of the gates of the estab- 
lishment in Egypt, where he acted as a sort of watch-dog. This duty he per- 
formed to perfection, and no one dared to attempt to enter without his leave. To 
those whom he knew he was polite, but to all others he was quite the reverse. 
Walking backward and forward in great ire when disturbed by anybody unknown 
to him, he finally stood stiffly on three of his legs, and hammered away at the floor 
with the knuckles of the other, just as a man raps a table when in a pet. His eyes 
glared, and he gave tongue in a fierce growling bark. 

Sometimes he would put on a most enticing look, and seem most kindly dis- 
posed, seeking as it were the friendly notice of people; then out would come his 
hand for something nice to be given him, and if refused all his good looks departed, 
and he behaved more like a devil than a watch-dog, rushing at his enemy and 
endeavoring to bite and scratch. He was on good terms with all the animals of 
the neighborhood, but took a great dislike to some ostriches which wandered 
about, and often came close to him, not apparently that they were necessarily un- 
beloved by apes, but because they did him some very evil services most uninten- 
tionally. He liked to get en a wall under a quantity of straw, which protected 
him from the sun, and there he dozed away. Now the ostrich has a very bad 
habit of trying to swallow or peck at everything; nothing comes amiss so that it 
can be swallowed; and they one and all are constantly poking here and poking 
there for most curious tid-bits. This was the case with the ostriches in the 
baboon's neighborhood, and it now and then happened that as they were 
on the search for a novelty they noticed his fine stout tail hanging from 



THE COMMON BABOON. 115 



the top of the wall. Of course the first ostrich which was near gave it a 
good peck with his strong beak, and doubtless a good pull also. This was a most 
uncalled-for liberty, and not only woke up the sleeper, and hurt him, but also 
offended his dignity. He awoke full of rage, and before the ostrich could give a 
second peck at the grisly morsel, the furious baboon rushed from under the straw, 
seized his enemy by the neck, and cuffed his head most soundly. He hated 
ostriches ever after. The same baboon was taken on board a boat with the trav- 
ellers, and exhibited a great fear of the water. After a while he got a little 
accustomed to it, and gradually was tempted to touch it. He used to go the whole 
length of his cord, which kept him safe and sound, and, clinging on, would just let 
one of his feet touch the glistening surface, and drag through the water. This 
trick he used to do when he was thirsty, for he sucked the water from off his foot. 

He was very fond of young animals, and took upon himself the occupation of 
nurse, whether the mothers liked it, or the little ones cared for it or not. Thus once 
going through the streets of a town seated on the baggage wagon, the baboon was 
tied fast by a good long cord, which gave him much liberty. He saw by the side 
of the road a dog with a litter of puppies, and immediately darted off, caught up 
one of them, and was returning before the mother had recovered from the shock 
produced by his audacity. She rushed after him as he retreated with the little 
puppy clasped to his bosom with one of his arms, and so vigorously did she pur- 
sue that the baboon was placed in difficulty, and had to exercise all of his resources 
to get out of her way with his charge. The wagon was on the move, and the 
rope was at its fullest length, when he suddenly took hold of it with his spare 
hand, and running himself clear, and alighting on his hind legs, met the attack of 
the furious dog most bravely. So stoutly did he persist, that the natives rather 
took his part, and he retained the little dog. Afterward his master took it from 
him, and restored it, to his great disgust; and indeed, he was extremely offended, 
and was sulky and out of temper for long afterward. Doubtless, if some intelli- 
gent men, who were accustomed to treat animals properly, would undertake the 
education of baboons, they would be successful to a considerable degree; and 
there is no reason why they should not be as useful to man as the dog. But they 
are teased and worried into a premature and senile savageness when in captivity. 

One of the plans of teaching a baboon to like his master is to keep him con- 
stantly in the house where he is; the master feeds him, and is kind and never teas- 
ing to him, giving him, however, friendly scratches on the back, and having romps 
with him. Then, when he will answer to some name or call, and has become 
familiarized with all around, some one comes in with a whip and begins to talk 
loudly, and to order the baboon out of the place. The creature is frightened, and 
is rather disposed to resist; whereupon the master makes his appearance, and pre- 
tends to take his part by opposing the intruder with violent gestures and threats, 
and making much of the poor brute. This has usually an excellent effect, and pro- 
duces satisfactory results, the baboon clinging henceforth to his friend. They are 



116 APES AND MONKEYS. 



taught to help their masters in conjuring- and juggling-, and they do some tricks 
wonderfully well. 

THE MANDRILL. This large baboon is the principal one with a very short 
stump of a tail, and may be distinguished from all others, with and without long 
tails, by the enormous swellings of its cheeks on either side of its nose, and their 
odd coloring. In general shape it resembles the rest of the genus, but perhaps its 
head and chest may be more bulky, and its limbs shorter and stouter than the 
other, when it has attained its full growth. A full-grown male measures five feet 
when standing upright, and the color of the hair is a light olive-brown above and 
silvery-grey beneath, and the chin is decorated with a small pointed yellow beard. 
It has a "brutus" in the form of a great tuft of hair on the top of the head, Nature 
having brushed up the hair off the temples and forehead upward, in a peak-shaped 
ridge on the crown, giving a triangular appearance to the whole. The ears are 
naked and pointed near their tips, and their color is bluish-black. The muzzle and 
the lips are large, and as it were, swollen and projecting, and the former is not only 
long, but is surrounded above with an elevated rim or border, and cut short or 
truncated like that of a hog. But the most extraordinary features of this ugliest 
of faces are the projections on either side of the nose. These are formed by swell- 
ings of the cheek-bones along the base of the great canine teeth, and the skin cov- 
ering them is ribbed and has ridges which are alternately light blue, scarlet, and 
deep purple in color, contrasting strangely with the other tints of the hair. To 
add to the strange look, the eyes are deeply sunken, and their color, a deep 
hazel, contrasts with a streak of vermilion, which reaches' down either side of 
the nose to the lip, and extends upward in the neighborhood of the brows, 
which are large and " beetled." A forehead would clearly be out of place in 
such a brute, and therefore it recedes rapidly above the eyes, and is lost in the 
great tuft of hair. 

The canine teeth are immense, and when the animal is enraged they and the 
others are shown, their beautiful white color contrasting with the strange medley 
of tints around them. On the body the hair is Very bristly, but the hands and feet 
are naked, and as if to add to the many peculiarities of the Mandrill, they are small 
in relation to the vigorous looking limbs and short chest. 

There is no doubt that the Mandrill is extremely brutal in its adult age, and 
that the males are ferocious and disgusting, there being no particular choice as 
regards ugliness and oddity of decoration between their faces and sterns, whose 
callosities are vast. But the young are not so, and probably the quieter tints of 
the female are associated with a gentler disposition. Both the young and the 
females have shorter muzzles than the adult males, and they have neither the great 
cheek-swelling nor the coloring of the face; in fact, it is only when the great eye 
teeth are being cut by the ..nales, as evidences of its age and powers, that the irreg- 
ular decoration begins to be noticed. 



THE MANDRILL. 



117 



The question of the coloring and ornamentation of monkeys will again be 
noticed in the summary at the close of the description of the Quadrumana, and it 
is therefore only necessary to remark that the most grotesque-looking and ferocious 
Mandrill is especially beautiful in the eyes of his partner, who, with humble colors 
and softened looks, admires her fractious spouse. His colors glow with love and 
flame under the influence of passion, and probably no more curious-looking piece 
of living polychrome was ever seen than "Jerry," at the Surrey Zoological Gar- 




THE MANDRILL. 

dens, where he got in a rage after drinking gin and water. "Jerry" was old and 
had gained all his ornaments, but had lost his levity, fur, and amiability. Broderip 
writes about him: "He liked the good things of Mandrill life, but would not put 
up with its troubles. He was a glutton, and ferocious in the extreme. Most 
kindly he would receive your nuts, and at the same time, if possible, would scratch 
or pinch your fingers, and then snarl and grunt in senseless anger. He would sit 
in a little arm-chair, and would wrap himself up in a blanket, knowing what was 
coming, the bribe being either a cup of tea, which he took, as people used to say, 
'quite like any Christian,' or, what was nicer in his eves, a glass of weak grog and 



118 



APES AND MONKEYS. 



a pipe. If he was disturbed in his enjoyment he was not pleasant, and if a shower 
of nuts came in upon his feast, especially if it occurred after the gin and water, he 
came out in his true colors. Cramming the nuts into his mouth, and stowing them 
away rapidly in his cheek-pouches, thus giving an unusual size to his iaws, he 




THE BLACK BABOON. 



would howl and march about, snarling and grunting. His little eyes glared, his 
nose and cheeks became swollen, and their colors most vivid. 

He was under the control of the keeper, who had, however, to take care that 
he was not bitten unawares, for "Jerry" was deceitful and treacherous in the 



THE BLACK BABOON. 119 



extreme. It is said that he once dined in the presence of royalty, and that he was 
one of the many higher animals who were invited to dine by George the Fourth 
at Windsor when His Majesty required novel amusements and unusual excitement. 
Doubtless he behaved himself, and contributed as much, and probably more, than 
any guest, to the royal enjoyment, and he appears to have enjoyed his hashed veni- 
son himself. There was no mistake about his enjoying his pipe, for he smoked as 
slowly and sedately as the gravest of his visitors. 

There is a small baboon which is very interesting to the student of the distri- 
bution of animals over the surface of the globe, and to geologists. It is jet-black 
in color, there being hardly a trace of dark brown in its long hair, and hence it has 
been called the Black Baboon. 

THE BLACK BABOON. When full grown it is about two feet in length, 
and the tail measures about an inch. Its face and neck are not covered, but all the 
rest of the body, the head, and the limbs, have a long black fur, and the hair of the 
top of the head runs up into a tall, long half-curl. The face is long and very mel- 
ancholy-looking, and the cheeks are smaller, but colored black on either side of the 
nose. But the nose does not extend, like that of a dog, quite to the end of the 
muzzle, for the creature has a decided upper lip, and the division or septum of the 
nostrils is long and rather broad, so that these openings look downward and out- 
ward. The seat has a scarlet tint, and the tail is a mere knob. 

Nothing is known about the wild habits of the Black Baboon, but it appears 
to be a wood ape, and it certainly has not the impudence or the bold, aggravating 
courage of the African Baboon in confinement. They are frequently brought over 
to Europe, and may be watched in most zoological gardens. They are capital 
climbers, but they like to remain a great deal on the ground, sitting upright on 
their haunches in a very sedate manner. Associating very well with other monkeys, 
they appear rather affectionate in disposition than otherwise, and may be seen 
looking very quiet and stately whilst some more agile companion rubs his face and 
lips against theirs, apparently to their gratification. The distinction between the 
Black Baboon and the African kinds is slight, and they all belong to the same 
genus, and therefore must have had a common parent in remote times. But the 
black one lives far away in the Asiatic islands, surrounded by animals different 
from those which live in Africa, many of which, nevertheless, have a curious Afri- 
can look about them. 



CHAPTER VII. 

THE MONKEYS OF THE NEW WORLD. 

Not one of the numerous kinds of monkeys which have been noticed in the 
former chapters has ever been found in the New World — that is to say, on the 
American Continent. The converse is also true, for not one of those which are 
about to be noticed, and which inhabit the tropical parts of South and Central 
America, has been seen in any other part of the world. 

The two groups are not only distinct as regards their geographical distribution, 
but they are also different in many very important points of their construction and 
habits. It is evident that, although it may be said that the resemblances between 
the Baboons, Macaques, and Troglodytes, for instance, indicate some kind of rela- 
tionship, and suggest a community of origin, there is nothing of the sort to be 
traced between any Old and New World monkeys. They seem to have started from 
different sources. 

All the monkeys of the New World have the partition between the nostrils 
broad, and it separates them widely: they open, as it were, sideways, and the whole 
of the lower part of the nose is flat. This peculiarity has given the name to the 
group, and has been explained, and it is accompanied by some others. Thus, with 
one exception, the numerous genera of the New World monkeys have the hind 
limbs the longest, and they are wont to go on all-fours, the erect posture being only 
occasionally adopted by the Spider Monkeys. Their thumbs differ less from the 
other fingers than do those of the Old World monkeys, and the toe-thumb is large 
and movable; no cheek-pouches or callosities are seen in any of them. It is usual 
to say that the American monkeys are known by their prehensile tails, but this is 
only true in part, for whilst some have this member wonderfully developed and 
useful, others have it incapable of holding on, whilst a few have barely a tail at all. 
The teeth are more numerous than in the apes and monkeys of the Old World, in 
one set of New World genera ; and they are of the same number in another. There 
are other differences which are of interest to the scientist, but which need not be 
stated here. 

THE HOWLERS. Although articulate speech is denied to the monkey 
world, many have very extraordinary voices, the capacity for making a noise being 

120 



THE HOWLERS. 



121 



great in them. Thus, the Gorilla has a tremendous voice, and the Gibbons are 
especially noisy, one of them having been noticed (page yy) to be able to emit 
something like a series of musical notes. But they are all silent in comparison 
with the noisiest of all monkeys — the South American Howlers. The females of 
this group can make a moderate amount of disturbance, but the males surpass 
every animal in their prolonged and sustained yelling. Their howlings, commenc- 
ing often suddenly at the close of day or in the middle of the night, amongst the 




YELLOW-TAILED HOWLER AND YOUNG. 



strange stillness of the great virgin forests, appall the traveller on his first visit. 
" Nothing," says Waterton, speaking of the Red Howler, " can sound more dread- 
ful than its nocturnal howlings. While lying in your hammock in those gloomy 
and unmeasurable wilds you hear him howling at intervals from eleven oclock at 
night till daybreak. You would suppose that half of the wild beasts of the forest 
were collecting for the work of carnage. Now it is the tremendous roar of the 
Jaguar as he springs on his prey ; now it changes to his deep-toned growlings as 
he is pressed on all sides by superior force; and- now you hear his last dying moan 
beneath a mortal wound. An old writer (Margrave) wrote in his Natural History 



122 APES AND MONKEYS. 



of Brazil, in 1648, that all the howlers assembled in the morning and evening in 
the woods, and that one takes his place on a tree high up, and motions to his com- 
panions to sit down and listen, and then, after having seen them all seated, com- 
mences his discourse, pitched at so high a key that at a distance one would imagine 
that all the congregation were joining in. But this is not the case; only one orator 
is allowed to speak at a time, and. all the rest wait politely, but not very patiently. 
When he has had enough howling he motions to the whole, who burst out into a 
fine chorus for some time. Then, by order, they ail cease, and the first recom- 
mences, and after having been listened to with due attention the whole depart. 
What the noise must be sometimes, if they all join in, may be gleaned from the 
fact that Humboldt saw the trees crammed with them, and believed that more than 
2,000 may be found in a square league. 

These Howlers are the largest of the monkeys of the New World, some being 
nearly three feet in length, without counting the long prehensile tail; they have 
movable thumbs on their hands, a hairless space underneath the tip of the wonder- 
ful tail, and the howling apparatus in the throat. 

They have rather tall heads, with beard and large lower jaws, which, with a 
thickness about the throat, give the appearance of an unusual swelling being there. 
Some have long and others short fur, but generally there is much of it about the 
head (where it is brushed forward) and neck. Black and red are favorite colors, 
and the young of both sexes differ often in their tints from the adults, and so do 
the males from the female. One kind in particular is decidedly colored. 

THE YELLOW-TAILED HOWLER. The last half of the tail of this 
species is of a brilliant golden-fawn color, and this tint is on the upper parts of the 
body nearly up to the shoulders; the rest of the tail is light maroon, and what 
remains of the body is dark maroon, there being a violent tint in the limbs. 

Besides its colors this kind presents some points of interest. They live in 
companies, and when they pass from one tree to another they all play at follow- 
my-leader exactly. They watch the movements of those who precede them, 
jump in the same manner, and at the same place, and even place their feet and 
hands on the same spots on the boughs. They are found in Columbia and New 
Grenada, and in Brazil on the confines of Paraguay. 

The limbs of all are long, and whilst there is a good toe-thumb to the foot, the 
very best of the hand-thumbs is not equal to those of the monkeys of the Old 
World. The nails on the fingers and toes are compressed from side to side, as 
it were, and begin to look like claws. 

Ogilby, an admirable observer, noticed years ago that two Howlers did not 
use their hands so as to take things between the thumb and forefinger, and he 
ascertained that this thumb was so much on a line with the other fingers that it was 
not opposable in the ordinary sense of the word, and that it was more like an extra 
finger than a thumb. This, he noticed, was not the case with the Howlers alone, 



THE HO WLERS. 



123 



but that it peculiarised the monkeys of the New World. The examination of 
their skeletons shows that the bones of the thumb are on the same plane or level 
as the fingers, and the whole is brought close to the fingers, as our great toe is to 
the other toes. Nevertheless this thumb can move to and from the fingers. 

But if the forehand so greatly resembles a paw. compensation is made to the 
animal by the gift of the prehensle tail, which is very muscular, and the under sur- 
face is without hair near the end, so that the sensitive surface can touch and feel 




HEAD OF THE BLACK HOWLER. 

objects. They can feel, therefore, around them, as they move along and lay hold 
of branches and hanging creepers without looking for them. The delicate sense 
of feeling depends on the nervous supply ; and the power of clasping and holding 
on upon the bending or flexor mu-cles. A bony framework supports all these 
structures, and runs from the last bone of the sacrum to the tip, and consists of 
many separate vertebral bones placed in a long series. The first few bones which 
join on to the sacrum, and form the root of the tail, resemble the back-bone pieces, 
or vertebras, to a certain extent. Each has a body, and also processes for jointing 
with the one before and behind, and a spine also. Besides these, there are two 
curious projections on the lower part of each body, which are called chevron 



124 APES AND MONKEYS. 



bones, and are V-shaped, and their use is to allow the blood-vessels and nerves to 
pass along between them without being pressed upon. Towards the end of the 
tail the vertabras become long and stout, and are united behind and. in front, form- 
ing a broad bone, and without the joints, and the chevron bones are reduced to 
little rounded pieces of bone. Everything tends in this tail to ready, rapid, and 
forcible motion, and so perfect an organ is it that when one of these Howlers 
is shot it always hangs to the tree by its tail, even if quite dead, and does not fall 
down until some hours afterwards, when the strong flexor muscles have relaxed. 

THE BLACK HOWLER. These monkeys are called the Monos by the 

natives of Guatemala, and certainly deserve some other name than Howlers. 
Howling is a moderate noise in comparison with the loud, widely-heard yell which 
they can produce. The effect of these noises when produced by four or five ani- 
mals, trying their voices one against the other in the quiet forest, is most remark- 
able and unpleasant. Salvin thus writes: " The wonderful cry whence Mycetes 
gets its trivial name of Howling Monkey is certainly most striking, and I have 
sometimes endeavored to ascertain how far this cry may be heard. It has taken 
me an hour or more to thread the forest undergrowth from the time the cry first 
struck my ear to where, guided by the cry above, I stood under the tree where 
the animals were. It would certainly not be over-estimating the distance to say 
two miles. When the sound came over the Lake of Yzabel unhindered by trees, 
a league would be more like the distance at which the Monos' cry could be heard." 
The Monos are abundant throughout the forests of the eastern part of Guatemala, 
but are unknown in the forest-clad regions which stretch toward the Pacific 
Ocean. 

THE CAPARRO. Humboldt, in one of his geographical excursions among 
the great streams which feed the Orinoco, went far up toward their sources. 
Going once into an Indian cabin in those remote regions he saw a large monkey, 
of a kind which he had never seen before. He named it, after the words of the 
natives, "The Caparro." 

Humboldt's new monkey had a prehensile tail, which was longer than the 
body, and underneath, close to the tip, there was a naked and sensitive spot of some 
length. It had a round and large head, a naked black face, but no beard. There 
were, however, smellers or long hairs around the mouth. It had long limbs and 
a shortish body, whose fur is long and sable grey in color. A good temper and a 
quiet disposition appeared to characterize this monkey, and the natives said it was 
found in troops, and that it often stood upon its hind legs. The Caparro is about 
two feet two inches in length without the tail. 

THE SPIDER MONKEYS— THE THUMBLESS MONKEYS OF AMERICA. 

Many early travelers recorded that during their wanderings by the sides of 
the rivers of the northern part of South America, and in the Isthmus of Panama, 



THE CAPARRO. 



125 



small troops of dark-colored monkeys could be seen rushing along among the 
trees, swinging under the branches, and feeding upon berries. Sometimes they 
would stop on the lower branches of the trees and look at the intruders ; but 
usually they scampered off, swinging with their front limbs and clasping with the 
hinder, having their stout and long tail ready for emergencies. Their length of 
limb, slender bodies, long hair, and their long tail, by which they suspend them- 
selves, and their extremely variable movements, soon gave them the name of 




THE CAPARRO. 

Spider Monkeys among those interested in their habits, although, of course, the 
natives had some names of their own for them. 

Humboldt saw them in the great virgin forests of Brazil, hanging in curious 
clusters, clasping each other by means of their limbs and tails, and all being sus- 
pended by the tail of one strong fellow. He was, as everybody must be, greatly 
impressed with their clever use of their tails, for he observed them being used as 
a fifth member, and with all the dexterity of hands. The natives will have it that 
they fish with their tails, but this is of course untrue, and they do not carry any- 
thing to their mouths with them. They are wonderful swingers and claspers, and 



126 APES AND A10NKEYS. 



they are exquisitely sensitive at the tip, and for some inches underneath it, and they 
are stout where they join the body, exceedingly muscular, and in some kinds there 
are long hairs on them, especially near the end. 

These monkeys have small heads, long necks, and exceedingly long arms and 
legs ; some are covered with a soft fur, and in others it is harsh, and the hairs are 
long and rigid ; and all have the thumbs of the hands either absent or just visible 
as slight projections. The feet are long and have well-shaped toe-thumbs. Their 
head is round and the muzzle only projects slightly, so that there is something 
human in their appearance, especially when their large eyes are open; and the 
hair in some kinds is brushed forward on the cheeks and brows so as to resemble 
whiskers and front hair. There is something in their shape without the tail, which 
reminds one of the Gibbons, those long-armed apes of the East, and the forehands 
resemble those of the Colodi of Africa; but the Spider Monkeys have not the 
power of jumping possessed by these, and their hind legs, useful as they are when 
amidst the great trailing orchids and the climbers of the American tropics, are 
feeble members when on the ground. Then the monkey walks on the outside edge 
of the feet, and on the inside edge of the hand, with its tail feeling here and there 
for anything to catch hold of. Often they are very sedate and slow in their move- 
ments, and they indulge in a series of climbings from from bough to bough, swing- 
ing from one to the other, and holding on now and then and assisting in the move- 
ment with the tail. They are as gentle in their manners as those just mentioned, 
and are full of play with each other. 

As the activity of the Spider Monkey is marvelous, as they swing on and 
catch hold of boughs with great skill and energy, and as they display much intelli- 
gence, their brains ought to be well developed. Doubtless there is a great deal of 
movement in these long-limbed creatures which takes place like the walking of 
man, i. e., without direct thought, for we move our leg muscles, and all those which 
assist them in the act of walking, without a constant direction of the will. Just as 
man's walking is said to be done automatically, so much of the swinging and pro- 
gression of the Ateles is produced without direct exertion of the will. But it is 
evident that the Spider Monkey judges his distance, and very often considers 
whether such and such a bough will bear his weight, and uses exactly sufficient 
muscular exertion for what he requires. 

Moreover, there is a graceful co-ordination or mutual action of the muscles of 
the limbs, body and tail to a common end in most of its movements which are evi- 
dently done by will. The movements of the tail are perfectly wonderful, and, 
indeed, so perfectly does it hold on, although the animal cannot see what this long 
slender organ is doing, that most children think there is an eye at the end of it. 

THE CO AIT A. This is the monkey of which an extraordinary story is told 
by Acosta. It belonged to the Governor of Carthagena, and was regularly sent 
to the tavern for wine. They who sent him put an empty pot in one hand, and the 




GROUP OF SPIDER MONKEYS. 
127 



128 



APES AND MONKEYS. 



money into the other, whereupon he went "spidering," as Broderip terms it, to the 
tavern, where they could by no means get his money from him till they had filled 
his pot with wine. As the ganymede of the Governor came back with his charge, 
certain idle children would occasionally meet him in the street and cast stones at 
him, whereupon he would put down his pot and cast stones at them till he had 
assured his way; then would he return to carry home the pot. And what is more, 
although he was a good bibbler of wine, yet would he never touch it till leave was 




THE COAITA. 



given to him. It is about as true as the account of the habits of the genus given 
by a distinguished French author. - He says that they live in greater or smaller 
troops in the forests; their food consists of insects, and they also eat little fishes, 
mollusks (shellfish), and other animal substances. When they are a little way from 
the coast they sometimes come down to the beach by the seaside and collect such 
things as oysters, and they get at the inside by breaking the shells between stones. 
Most of the species live far away from such luxuries, and one and all are vegetari- 
ans, as a rule, and eat an insect or suck an egg or two as the exception. 



-k-M 



y" 




)\)G rHarmoset. 



THE COAITA—THE SPIDER MONKEYS. 



129 



The Coaita is an intelligent animal, and shows much curiosity when anything 
new is seen in its vicinity. All the agility of the genus is to be witnessed in its 
climbing and swinging from tree to tree; and it has no thumbs. They live in 
Surinam and in the Brazils. 




THE BLACK AND VARIEGATED SPIDER MONKEYS. 



THE VARIEGATED SPIDER-MONKEY. These monkeys appear to go 
in small parties, passing through the forests at a rapid pace, feeding off different 
kinds of berries. The berries which Mr. Bartlett found in their stomachs resem- 
bled a gooseberry with a large stone inside. Owing to their great length of limb 



130 



APES AND MONKEYS. 



and tail, and to their muscular vigor, these Spider Monkeys travel far and wide. 
Bartlett endeavored to hunt them, but was prevented by the fever and ague 
of the climate, and the fears of the Indians. Going into the mountains up the 
Maranon River, he heard from the Indians of the presence of a long-armed Ape — 
called in their language Maciosuppeh — at the distance of three days' journey. He 
engaged three Indians, started by way of a forest footpath that had been opened 
by a Catholic priest, to the town of Moyahamba, as part of his penitence. He 
writes: — " At the end of three days I reached the highest point of the mountains; 
here we came across a number of the monkeys in question — about eight or nine. I 
shot the male that is now in the British Museum, and my Indians brought down 
another with a poison-dart. Having obtained two of them I was satisfied that I 
had found a new species. While, however, I was busily engaged preparing the 

first specimen, my Indians 
had quietly placed the other 
on the fire ; and, to my great 
horror and disgust, they 
had singed the hair off, and 
thus spoiled the specimen. 
Of course I was obliged to 
keep the peace, for they had 
not tasted meat for some 
days, and the monkey 
proved a very dainty dish." 

THE BROWN CAPU- 
CHIN. In this species the 
hairs of the head are brushed 
back, but it appears that 
with age some hairs are 

erected at the sides of the head above the ears into two horns, so as to give it the 

name of the horned Monkey. 




THE BROWN CAPUCHIN. 



THE WEEPER CAPUCHIN, or Cai. This is known by the black top to 
its head, and it is small, and brown in color elsewhere, the face and throat being 
greyish-yellow. 

Brehm gives the following notes about their habits: — "This monkey is common 
from Bahia to Columbia, and it chooses woody country where there is no under- 
wood. The greater part of its life is spent on trees, and it only leaves them to 
drink, or to visit a field of maize. In the day he wanders from tree to tree, look- 
ing for food; in the night sleeps on the branches of some tree. Generally one sees 
him in small families of six or ten, of whom the most part are females. It is diffi- 
cult to observe the animal, because he is so timid and shy. Rengger asserts that 



THE WEEPER CAPUCHIN. 



131 



he is seldom to be seen. Once he noticed a pleasant whistling noise, and he saw 
an old male looking timidly around on the highest tree tops, and then approach. 
About twelve or thirteen others followed him, of both sexes, and three females 
carried a little one partly on the back, partly under one arm. Suddenly one of 
these animals saw an orange-tree with ripe fruit, gave a cry, and sprang up the 
tree. In a few seconds the whole company were assembled there, and were 
engaged in picking and eating the ripe fruit. Some began immediately to eat, 
others sprang, loaded with a couple 
of fruit, to a neighboring tree, 
whose stronger branches provided 
them with a table. They sat them- 
selves down on a branch, encircled 
it with their tails, then took an 
orange between their hind legs, and 
tried with these to loosen the peel 
at the top with the fingers. If they 
did not succeed immediately, they 
flung the fruit, grumbling and 
snarling, several times against a 
tree, by which the rind was broken. 
Not one tried to peel the orange 
with their teeth, probably because 
they were aware of its bitter taste. 
As soon, however, as a small open- 
ing was made, they quickly pulled 
a piece off, eagerly licked up the 
juice, and not only what was on the 
fruit, but also what was on their 
hands and arms, and then ate the 
pulp. The tree was soon bare, and 
then the stronger ones tried to rob 
the weaker, both making the most 
peculiar grimaces, gnashed with 

their teeth, tore each other's hairs, and pulled each other roughly about. Others 
carefullv searched the dead branches, lifted up the dry bark, and ate the insects 
13-ing under neath. When they were satisfied, they laid themselves along a branch, 
in the same manner as the Howlers, to sleep. The young ones, however, began 
to play, and thereby showed themselves to be very agile. They swung themselves 
by their tails, or climbed up them as if by a rope. The mothers had great trouble 
with their young, who wished for the luscious fruit. At first they gently pushed 
their young aside, but afterwards showed their impatience by grunting; then they 
seized the disobedient child by the head, and threw it roughly on its back. As 




132 APES AND MONKEYS. 



soon, however, as they were satisfied, they gently drew the young ones forward, 
and laid them at their breasts. Tne mother's love shows itself by the great care 
with which every old one handles her young, through laying them on the breast, 
by watching them, by searching their fur, and by the attacks on others who come 
near. The motions of the young one were neither light nor graceful, but awkward 
and ungainly. Another time Rengger came upon a family who were about to make 
an attack upon a maize-field. They climbed softlv down from a tree, looked care- 
fully around, broke two or three heads of fruit off, and returned as quickly as pos- 
sible to the wood, there to devour their booty. As Rengger showed himself the 
whole troop fled, with shrill cries," through the tree-tops. Every one, however, 
took at least a head of fruit away with him. Rengger now shot one of these, and 
saw a female fall with her young one through the branches. He thought he should 
be able to catch her soon, but, though dying, she caught herself by her tail, and 
kept him waiting for quite a quarter of an hour. The young one had not left its 
mother, but rather clung faster to her, though showing signs of fear. After she 
was dead, and it was taken away, the little thing called in plaintive tones to its 
mother, and crept near to her as soon as it was let loose. After some hours, how- 
ever, the coldness of the body seemed to frighten the young one, and it willingly 
stayed in its captor's breast pocket. Our informant says that in the family of the 
Cai, the number of females exceeds the number of males. In January the female 
gives birth to a young one, and keeps it at her breast for the first week, but later 
on carries it on her back. The mother never leaves her young, not even when she 
is wounded. Rengger, however, observed that a female, whose arm had been 
broken by a bullet, tore her young one from her breast, and set it on a branch; but 
this most likely was to shield the young one from danger rather than to relieve 
herself of its weight. 

"The young Cai is often caught, and tamed. When older they cannot bear 
restraint; they become mopish, refuse their food, never grow tame, and die in a 
few weeks. The young one, on the other hand, soon forgets its freedom, becomes 
attached to people, and partakes, as do many other monkeys, of their food and 
drink. They walk on their hind legs for three or four steps, but they are trained 
to walk upright by tying the hands behind the back. At first they fall frequently^ 
and must therefore be held by a cord from behind. When sleeping they curl 
themselves up, and cover the face with the arms and tail. They sleep in the night, 
and when it is very hot, in the middle of the day. At other times they are in con- 
stant motion. 

" Rengger's Cai knew his master in the darkest night, as soon as he had felt 
his usual clothing. The cry of the Cai changes according to its emotions. One 
generally hears a whistling sound, which seems to proceed from weariness. If he 
demands anything he groans; wonder or embarrassment he shows by a half whist- 
ling tone ; when angry he cries in a deep, rough tone — 'Hu! hu!' When in fear 
he shrieks; when pleased he chuckles. By these cries the leader of a troop shares 



THE WEEPER CAPUCHIN. 



133 



his feelings with the others. These they show also, not only by noises and motions, 
but also by a kind of laughing and crying. The former is the drawing back of the 
corners of the mouth; but he utters no sound. When crying his eyes fill with 
tears, which, however, never flow down his cheek. The Cai is very sensitive to 
cold and damp, and must be kept from them if he is wanted to keep well. This is 
easy, as he gladly rolls himself up in a blanket. They live about fifteen years. 

''The intelligence of the Cai is worthy of notice. He learns in the first few 




bonnet monkey. {See page 94.) 

days of his captivity to know his master and his keepers, and looks to them for 
food, warmth, protection, and help; trusts them fully, is pleased when his keeper 
plays with him, lets himself be teased by him, and after not having seen him for 
some time shows the greatest pleasure on his reappearance. He also soon forgets 
his freedom, and becomes almost wholly a domestic animal. An old male which 
Rengger had got loose once from his cord, and ran away into the wood, but 
returned again in two or three days, sought out his keeper, and allowed himself to 
be tied up. Those who are not badly treated show great fidelity, especially to the 
blacks, whom they like always better than the whites. The Cai is not only fond of 



134 APES AND MONKEYS. 



men, but also of animals, and it is no uncommon thing in Paraguay to bring him 
up with a young dog, who serves as a horse for him. 

" The animal is very sensible, and does not give in to the will of man. One 
can keep him from doing anything, but cannot force him to do it. On the con- 
trary, he tries to make others bend to his will, and also men, sometimes by caresses, 
sometimes by threats. Weaker animals must follow his will. This does great 
harm to his learning. He will only learn those things which he can make use of, 
such as opening boxes, looking through his master's pockets, etc. As he grows 
older he gains experience, and knows how to use it. If one gives him an egg for 
the first time, he breaks it so clumsily that he loses half the contents, but the second 
time he only breaks the top, and lets no more be lost. He is not often taken in 
twice by anybody. He soon learns to know the expression of the face and the 
tone of the voice. 

" The Cai is also very prone to stealing eatables. If caught in the act he cries 
out with fear before he is touched, but if he is not caught then he pretends to be 
perfectly innocent, and looks as if nothing had happened. Small articles he hides, 
when disturbed, in his mouth, and eats them at his leisure. His covetousness is 
great. What he once gets is not so easily taken away, at the most, by his master, 
when he likes him very much. His covetousness is made use of to capture him. 
The negroes clean out a pumpkin through a small hole, and then slip pieces of 
sugar, etc., inside. They see this, and thrust their arm in, and while so engaged 
will rather be caught than relinquish their spoil. Besides these qualities, they 
show curiosity and destructiveness to a great extent. 

" They are fond of teasing, and pull the tails of dogs and cats, snatch the 
feathers out of hens and ducks, and even tease horses which are tied up close to 
them ; they also pull their bridles, and are all the more pleased the more worried 
or frightened the animal becomes. 

"Only the Indians made use of the skin, and therefore hunt the Cai down with 
bow and arrow. The whites prize him most highly in captivity." 

Some of these little monkevs really appear to reason, and are very clever, 
Rengger states that when he first gave eggs to his monkeys they smashed them, 
and thus lost much of their contents ; afterward they gently hit one end against 
some hard body, and picked off the bits of shell with their fingers. After cutting 
themselves only once with a sharp tool they would not touch it again, or would 
handle it with the greatest care. Lumps of sugar were often given them wrapped 
up in paper, and Rengger sometimes put a live wasp in the paper, so that in hastily 
unfolding it they got stung. After this had happened once they always first held 
the packet to their ears, to detect any movement within. This breaking of the 
egg in a proper manner is as interesting as two well-known facts, one of which 
may be observed by anybody in the habits of American and other monkeys. 
Sometimes a little monkey has a nut given him, and he is not strong enough to 
crack it He will look up into your eyes with a meaning glimmer of his eyes, and 



THE WEEPER CAPUCHIN. 



135 



hand you the nut again. Crack it for him, and he receives it as a matter of course. 
Formerly one of the large monkeys in the Zoological Gardens had weak teeth, 
and he used to break open the nuts with a stone and Mr. Darwin was assured by 
the keepers that this animal; after using the stone, hid it in the straw, and would 




THE SQUIRREL MONKEY. 



not let any other monkey touch it. Rengger taught one to open palm nuts by 
breaking them with a stone, and so satisfied was it with its performance, that it 
soon began to experiment on other kinds of nuts, and then it began upon boxes. It 
also crushed off with blows of a stone the soft rind ot a fruit that had a disagreeable 



136 APES AND MONKEYS. 



flavor, in order to get at the luscious food within. The same author saw a Capu- 
chin monkey taking great and affectionate care of its infant. The flies were teas- 
ing it, and the mother drove them away as sedulously as possible. When in its 
native woods the Capuchin utters at least six distinct sounds when it is excited, and 
these seem to produce corresponding feelings in the monkeys which are listening. 

THE SQUIRREL MONKEY. Buffon was a great admirer of this long- 
tailed, very human-headed little monkey, and remarked that they will always be 
admired more than any other of their American brethren, on account of their 
littleness, the gentleness of their movements, their brilliant color, their large and 
striking eyes, and their little round faces. He noticed that although the tail was 
long it was not stout and muscular, as is the case in those which are prehensile ; 
and he observed that they were fond of curling it around objects, and even around 
their own or their mate's bodies. Their grey olive body fur contrasts with their 
bright red arms and legs, whilst the muzzle is blackish, and these colors, on an 
active little creature whose body is about ten inches long, and whose tail is not 
quite fourteen, look very pretty. 

Humboldt often had the opportunity of watching them, and was much 
impressed with their affectionate disposition, and says that they readily wept if 
they were spoken to in a sad manner. When they are spoken to for some time 
they will listen with great attention, and then will place their little hands to the 
speaker's lips. The attempt suggests the great trouble to catch the words as they 
come out of the mouth. They knew objects when they saw them in pictures, and 
even when they were not colored, and when they represented their usual food, 
such as fruit and insects, they endeavored to catch hold of them. They enter- 
tained a great desire to catch spiders, and caught them with great skill, either with 
their hands or mouths. They feel any sudden change in the temperature of their 
native woods very soon, and when there is a fall of some degrees in the thermome- 
ter, they collect in little troops, and huddle together for the sake of their mutual 
warmth. There is a vast deal of squabbling and fighting to see who shall get in 
the middle, and not be left out in the cold, and great is the whistling and squeak- 
ing. Unfortunately for the noisy creatures, the Indian hunters take advantage of 
their assembling in this manner, for when they hear the cries they shoot their 
arrows in the direction of the monkeys, and often hit the chilly little group. It is 
said that when young they have a slight smell of musk. The Squirrel Monkeys 
have a small face, and the brain case behind it is moderately arched above, and 
sticks out behind very decidedly. This is because the head is placed on the 
spine differently to the monkeys already described. As a whole the head is very 
human-like, especially when it is young ; but the forehead-bone is triangular, and 
projects upward and backward between the side bones of the head, and the chin is 
round and prominent. The forehead is narrow, and the muzzle is more protruding, 
however, than in man. 



THE DOUROUCOULI. 



137 



THE DOUROUCOULI. This night-loving monkey has short hair, and a 
cylindrical tail, and looks like one of the Lemurs. It has rufous hands and feet, 
the ear-conchas are large and prominent, and almost hairless. It inhabits Nica- 
ragua. Another species is quite nocturnal in its habits, coming out after dark 
only in search of food, in the Peruvian valleys. 




THE RED-FOOTED DOUROUCOULI. 



THE MONK. This monkey is introduced here with a view of explaining the 
general characteristics of the brain of the group. 

The brain of one of these monkeys weighed 460 grains, or the one-eighteenth 
part of an entire but emaciated body. The general form is a regular arch, and the 
cerebellum is covered by the brain proper. Its general form is like some of the 
Cebi, and is less pointed than that of the Old World apes in front ; and is less 
elongated and depressed than those of the lowest monkeys of the New World, 
such as the Marmosets and Tamarins, for instance. 

THE COUXIO. This Saki has a beard under its chin, and the fur is gener- 
ally of a brown-black in the male, and brown in the female. It has a fine, fiery 



138 



APES AND MONKEYS. 



tail, and a very human aspect. The name is by no means satisfactory, especially as, 
by a curious mistake, the young ones have been called " Israelites." 

THE BLACK-HEADED SAKI. This, like the last, must be enumerated 
among the more remarkable monkeys of the New World, from all of which it is 
to be immediately distinguished by the extreme shortness of the tail, a structure 
which would seem to make it the representative of the baboons of the Old Conti- 




THE MONK. 

nent. It is, in fact, the only one hitherto discovered in America whose tail does 
not exceed three inches in length. It is altogether a small species, that described 
by Humboldt measuring little more than one foot five inches from the head to the 
feet. In its adult state, however, it is described as reaching the length of another 
foot. Its disposition is inactive, phlegmatic, but very docile. It eats with avidity 
all sorts of fruits — sweet or sour. These it will seize by stretching out both hands 
at once, bending the back and body at the same time in a forward attitude. The 
physiognomy has a much more human expression than that of the generality of 



THE BLACK-HEADED SAKI. 139 

monkeys, particularly in the face, which is naked and black. Its profile is not 
much unlike the Ethiopian. The head is oval, but flattened on the sides. On the 
eyelids, mouth and chin there are a few stiff hairs, but the chin has no beard. 
The ears are large, and like those of the human subject, are naked. The fur is 
long, shining, and of a uniform yellowish-brown color over the whole of the body. 
The fingers are much lengthened, the nails rather flat; and the tail, notwithstand- 
ino- its shortness, is thick and, almost naked toward its extremity. Broderip com- 




THE COUXIO. 



pares its face to one of the old withered negroes, who, by great respectability of 
conduct, have gained their freedom. Another varietv is the White-headed Saki. 
Humboldt was much impressed with the resemblance of some of these monkeys 
in the face to man. One of them, the Capuchin of the Orinoco, is certainly 
strangely human in its appearance. The eyes have, according to Broderip, a 
mingled expression of melancholy and fierceness. There is a long, thick beard, and 
as this conceals the retreating chin, the face and forehead are much upon a line. 
Strong, active, and fierce, he is tamed with the greatest difficulty, and when angered 
he raises himself on his hind extremities, grinds his teeth in wrath, and leaps 



140 



APES AND MONKEYS. 



around his antagonist with threatening gestures. "If any malicious person wishes 
to see this Homunculus," writes that entertaining author, "in a most devouring 
rage, let him wet the Capuchin's beard, and he will find that such an act is an 
unforgivable sin." It is so anxious not to wet this fine ornament to its face, that 
instead of putting the mouth to the stream when it desires to drink, it lifts the 

water in the hollow of its hand, 
inclines its head on its shoulder, 
and, carrying the draught to its 
mouth, drinks slowly, and with 
deliberation. This Saki is called 
the Hand-drinking monkey. Its 
length, including the bushy tail, is 
about two feet nine inches. It is of 
a brownish-red color, and the hair 
of the forehead is directed forward. 
The body hair is long, and the 
beard, which arises below the ears, 
is brown, inclining to black, and it 
covers the upper part of the breast. 
The back is red, the eyes are 
sunken, and the nails are, with the 
exception of those of the thumbs, 
more like claws. They are very 
solitary, and often are found with- 
out their mates. 

THE COMMON MARMOSET. 

These little, gentle, pretty creatures 
usually so readily tamed, are made 
great pets of, and attract much 
attention in all collections of ani- 
mals, and one kind has been often 
brought from the tropical woods 
of the Brazils and kept in confine- 
ment, so that its habits during cap- 
tivity have been watched from birth 
until death in adult age. Many 
years since F. Cuvier had some of the common marmosets born while under his 
care, and he watched them and their parents well. The young ones had their 
eyes open on coming into the world, and their skins were covered with very 
smooth hair of a deep grey color, but which was scarcely perceptible on the tail. 
They instantly crept into their mother's nice warm fur, and clung on with their 




THE SPIDER MONKEY. 



THE COMMON MARMOSET. 



141 



little hands and feet, and they attracted the intense admiration and curiosity of the 
father and mother, who were in the same cage. The father was even more affec- 
tionate than the mother, and assisted most assiduously in the nursing department. 
The favorite position of the young ones was upon the back and bosom of the 
mother, and when she was tired of nursing she would come up to her mate with 
a shrill cry, which, Broderip writes, said as plainly as any one could speak, "Here, 
do take the children!" He immediately stretched forth his hands, and placed the 




THE COMMON MORMOSETS. 

little ones on his back, or under his body, where they held on whilst he carried 
them about, and amused them. At last they used to get hungry, and whined for 
their mother, who took them, and after having nursed them returned them to 
their "papa." In fact, the father did all the hard work, and the mother merely fed 
them. In this instance this domestic happiness was cut short, for the mother was 
weakly; no wet-nurse was to be had, and the little ones sank and died. In their 
native state they lead an arboreal life, and assemble in groups of six or seven 
climbing up the tallest trees, and jumping from bough to bough, showing the 
greatest activity, like and greater than that of squirrels. So rapidly do they move 



142 



APES AND MONKEYS. 



from branch to branch, and from tree to tree, that the eye fails to follow them 
readily. They are recognized at once by their long tuft of whitish hair, which 
sticks out from the side of the head, and almost hides the ears. The size of the 
whole animal is about that of a small squirrel, and the tail is very long, bushy, and 
prettily marked with alternate rings of ash-color and of black fur. The head is 
small, the eyes are gentle looking, and the nose is flat, the face being black. The 
fur of the body is darkish brown, with different shades of color for each hair, which 







■■■■' ■.-, v - 
■ 




— J ■"■ 



DEVILLE S MTDAS. 



is dusky at its root, reddish in the middle, and grey at the tip. There are very 
different stories told regarding their intelligence and affection. Some naturalists 
assert that they are incapable of affection towards man, even to the hand that feeds 
them. Swainson says, "It mistrusts all, and treats as indifferently those whom 
one would think it well knew and those who are strangers; neither does its 
show much intelligence, although it is attentive, and suspicious of everything 
that is passing. When under the influence of fear it strives to conceal itself, 
uttering a short but piercing cry; at other times it hisses." 



THE MIDAS ARGENTATUM—DEVILIKS MIDAS. 143 

MIDAS ARCENTATUM. Bates is the authority for the following short 
notice of this pretty monkey: — "The little Tamarin is one of the rarest of the 
American Monkeys. I have not heard of its being found anywhere except near 
Cameta. I once saw three individuals together running along a branch in a cacao 
grove near Cameta. They looked like white kittens. I saw afterwards a pet 
animal of this species, and heard that there were many so kept, and that they were 
esteemed as choice treasures. The one 1 saw was full-grown, but it measured only 
seven inches in length of body. It was covered with long white silky hairs, the 
tail was blackish, and the flesh nearly naked and flesh-colored. It was a most timid 
and sensitive little thing. The woman who owned it carried it constantly in her 
bosom, and no money would induce her to part with her pet. She called it 'Mico.' 
It fed from her mouth, and allowed her to fondle it freely, but the nervous little 
creature would not permit strangers to touch it. If any one attempted to do so it 
shrank back, the whole body trembling with fear, and its teeth chattered, whilst it 
uttered its tremulous frightened tones. The expression of its features was like that 
of its more robust brother the Ursuhcs; the eyes, which were black, were full of 
curiosity and mistrust, and it always kept them fixed on the person who attempted 
to advance towards it." 

DEVILLE'S MIDAS. This pretty monkey is plentiful everywhere on the 
Peruvian Amazons, but is extremely delicate in constitution. It will not bear the 
least cold, and it is kept with great difficulty. The Indian women make great pets 
of them, and put them into the long hair on their heads. They are thus kept warm 
and are not without interesting occupation. Having become tame they frequently 
hop out of their odd home and feed, or having captured a spider or two, scamper 
back and hide under the luxuriant crop of their owners, who are generally unwil- 
ling to part with them. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

THE LEMUROIDA. 

The forests of Madagascar, of Western and Eastern Africa, and of some of the 
Asiatic Islands, are the homes of several kinds of animals which are not unlike the 
monkeys in some respects, but which differ from them in their habits of life, and, 
to a certain extent, in their anatomy. Most of them are in the habit of hiding up 
all the day, and of moving with great vivacity at dusk and during the night-time. 
Their gliding, noiseless motion amidst the dense foliage of the tropical woods 
during the dark hours, and their restless activity in searching for their food during 
the short twilight, were considered to resemble the fitful apparitions of sprites, 
spectres, and hobgoblins, and hence Linnaeus gave them the name of Lemurs, 
taking the term from the Latin (lemures), "ghosts." The name has been adopted 
popularly, so as to include all the kinds which, with some structural resemblance 
to the monkeys, are for the most part nocturnal in their habits, and it really appears 
to represent the notions which the excessively timid and superstitious natives of 
the Eastern Islands have of the malevolent influence of some of these active and 
very small creatures, whose large eyes glare and shine in the dark woods as they 
rush to and fro before the extreme darkness of the night commences. The Lemurs 
using the popular term in its wide significance, can be distinguished from the 
monkeys and other animals at a glance. They are known by hairy "hands" at the 
end of the arms and legs, large furry tails, slim furry bodies, long ears, great staring 
eyes, and a muzzle like that of a small fox. At night-time, when the baboons, 
Macaques, Guenons, and American monkeys are at rest and asleep, the Lemurs are 
awake, and rushing and jumping here and there in their limited space; but during 
the day-time, when the monkey world is most giddy, with one or two exceptions, 
the others are quiet, and if poked out into daylight look dazed and stupid, and are 
only too glad to get into darkness again. The exceptions to these habits are not 
numerous. The night-loving monkey of South America comes out to look about 
at the same time as its neighbor, the night-loving Lemur; and the common, or 
Ring-tailed Lemur, is always ready to receive food, or to be noticed in broad day- 
light, as it goes to bed with monkeydom in general. The Lemuroida live in ve: / 
out-of-the-way places, and the majority are in Madagascar, which is an island very 
little visited by Europeans, and where some naturalists have studied them and 

144 



THE LEMUROIDA. 



145 



their habits under great difficulties. Marvellous stories, of course, abound amongst 
the natives regarding their tricks and habits, and the sober truth has been very 
difficult to distinguish from error, especially as the night is the scene of their gaiety. 
Nevertheless, during the last few years much knowledge has come to hand about 
these interesting creatures, and it has been rendered all the more important by the 
labors of the comparative anatomists, who have dissected many kinds of them, and 
described their results. 

Mr. Bartlett describes one as follows: " The other night I took an opportunity 




GARXETTS GALAGO. 



of letting one of these interesting creatures— Garnett's Galago — have its liberty 
in my room, and I assure you I was well repaid by his performance. Judge my 
utter astonishment to see him on the floor, jumping about upright like a kangaroo, 
only with much greater speed and intelligence. The little one sprung from the 
ground onto the legs of tables, arms of chairs, and indeed onto any piece of furni- 
ture in the room ; in fact, he was more like a sprite than the best pantomimist I 
ever saw. What surprised me most was his entire want of fear of dogs and cats. 
These he boldly met and jumped on at once, and in the most playful manner 
10 



146 



APES AND MONKEYS. 



hugged and tumbled about with them, rolling over and over, hanging on their 
tails, licking them on the head and face. I must add, however, that now and again 
he gave them a sharp bite, and then bounded off, full of fun at the noise they made 
in consequence of the sly nip he had inflicted. This active trickery he never 
appeared to tire of; and I was myself so pleased on witnessing the droll antics of 




THE DIADEM INDRIS AND THE WOOLLY INDRIS. 

the creature that the night passed and it was near daybreak before I put a stop to 
his frolics by catching and consigning him to his cage. In bounding about on the 
level ground, his jumps, on the hind legs only, are very astonishing, at least several 
feet at a spring, and with a rapidity that requires the utmost attention to follow. 
From the back of a chair he sprang, with the greatest ease, onto the table, four 
feet distance. He was delighted with a little wooden ball, which he rolled about 



THE WOOLLY LEMUR. 



147 



and played with for a considerable time, carrying it in one hand while he hopped 
and skipped about in high glee. He eats fruits, sweetmeats, bread, and any kind 
of animal substance, killing everything he can pounce upon and overpower. This 
strong and active little brute thus eats his prey at once, as I had proof in an 
unfortunate sparrow which he unmercifully devoured head first." 




WOOLLY MACACO. 



THE DIADEM INDRIS. This is a fine species, with a white furry ruff, or 
crown, on the forehead and around the face, and it has a long muzzle and body, 
and a thick, long tail. It greatly resembles the White Indris, with the exception 
of its characteristic head ornament, and leads the same kind of life in another part 



148' APES AND MONKEYS. 



of the island of Madagascar. So little is known about the Diadem Indris that it 
is only necessary to notice one point in its anatomy, which refers to its habits. It 
evidently assumes the semi-erect posture very frequently when climbing, and a 
great part of the weight of the body is felt by the foot, and its great clasping toe- 
thumb. The examination of the foot proves that it is one, and not a hand, for bone 
for bone it may be compared with the human foot, and that of the Apes. The 
great toe is wide apart from the others, and in that it resembles the thumb of a 
hand ; but all the other bones of the ankle or tarsus are in the same relative posi- 
tion as they occupy in us. The Diadem Indris is found in the forests of the cen- 
tral parts of Madagascar, and appears to keep apart from other kinds and to roam 
about the dense woods in bands. 

THE WOOLLY LEMUR. This is one of the long-tailed Indris, and is remark- 
able for having long hind limbs, a long furry tail, a very short muzzle, and a round 
head. These woolly Indris are not frequently caught, or indeed seen at all, for they 
hide during the daytime, and sleep curled up amongst the thick shade of the foliage, 
or in some comfortable nest in the hollow of a tree. At night-time they wake up,, 
and eat and play amongst the trees on which their food grows. They are said to 
be stupid animals, but probably as they have never had their intelligence tested 
except when half asleep, they may be quite as intelligent as the other Lemuroids, 
and this opinion is strengthened by the fact that the brain is large in proportion to 
the size of the body; larger indeed in proportion than the brain of any of the others. 

The animals are small in size, and a dried skin measures rather more than a 
foot and a half in length, from the muzzle to the root of the tail, and this latter 
appendage is thirteen inches long. The head is broad over the eyes, which are 
wide apart, and the muzzle barely projects, and the whole of the face is covered 
with short hairs of a reddish-brown tint. There is a distinct band of whitish fur- 
placed across the top of the forehead, which has fur before and behind it of a 
darker color than the rest of the hair of the body. This band is curved, and foi ms 
a point which projects forward in the middle line of the forehead. The fur on the 
back and flanks of the body is of a dark grey color close to the skin, but on its 
surface the color is brown, more or less rusty. This is the tint on the extremities, 
the grey color underlying. On the backs of the thighs there are white patches, 
and at those spots there is no deep-seated grey tint. The cylindrical tail is reddish- 
brown, like the hands and feet. The ears are short and rounded, and are generally 
hairy, but not tufted, and they are hidden in the fur of the head. The nostrils are 
separated by a narrow septum. The feet are short and broad, and the claw of the 
toe is long and cylindrical. 

THE RING-TAILED LEMUR. This title refers to the pretty cat-like 
Lemur with chinchilla-grey tints, and a banded tail of black and grey rings, which 
is so commonly to be seen at the Zoological Gardens. 




RING-TAILED LEMURS 
149 



150 



APES AND MONKEYS. 



When in captivity the Ring-tailed Lemur soon becomes attached to its keeper, 
and they show some powers of memory. A quartermaster of the French frigate 
Dupleix, who had one on board, was recognized by it when surrounded by all the 
crew. This little creature liked to play with the cabin-boys and the dogs, and 
took charge of, and protected, a little monkey belonging to one of the sailors. 
The monkey was fondled and nursed, and cleaned with great attention by its active 
little friend ; but corresponding kindness was not shown to the ship's fowls, whose 
tails it pulled unmercifully. 

THE MONGOOSE LEMUR. The great naturalist Buffon had a lemur 
sent to him as a present, which he kept as a pet for many years. At first it ran 



? i 




f - . , . ' ■ HI'/ 



HEAD OF THE BLACK LEMUR. 

about the house, and was tame and full of fun, roaming here an there, and settling 
down before the fire like a common cat. It was very good-natured, and became a 
great favorite; but with age came ill-temper, and it became cross and vicious; 
moreover, it was always making disturbances, so it had to be chained up. Having 
some ingenuity and perseverence, it managed to slip its chain now and then, and 
to escape. It made its way directly into the street, and used to visit the confec- 
tioner's shop, where it very quietly and systematically roamed in search of sweets, 
devouring all it could lay its hands on. If it could not get sweets it would take 
fruit, and was quite heedless regarding the price or the rarity of its desired treats. 
When it was known that it had escaped, if the shop people had not already told 
Buffon, every one knew where it was to be caught, and a great trouble the catch- 



THE BLACK LEMUR. 



151 



ing was, for it got into corners, showed fight, and bit, and resisted being touched 
very decidedly. The cold, however, was its great enemy, and it always suffered 
much from it, and finally died from its effects. 



THE BLACK LEMUR. This lemur has a mate with white whiskers and a 
white patch on the lower part of the back, whilst its own color is uniformly black. 
It inhabits the northwest part of Madagascar. M. Pollen noticed one of the white- 
whiskered yellowish-red colored females with a little black young one on its 
shoulders, and when the mother was shot, it fell with her, so tightly had it grasped 
her wool. They live in 
companies, and like the very 
tops of the tallest trees of 
the forest for their home ; 
they are usually seen in the 
evening, when they make a 
great deal of noise with 
their concert of grunts and 
cries, and they jump from 
bough to bough quite as 
quickly as a bird flies. They 
have a trick of falling down 
suddenly, when pursued, 
into the underwood, and 
when the hunter searches 
for them they will be seen 
rushing off to a distant tree. 
When reared in captivity 
they are docile and affec- 
tionate. They like to sit on 
their keeper's shoulder, and 
will eat nearly everything 
that is offered to them. 
Fruit they prefer, but they 
will crack a bird's skull and 
eat the brain. In some dis- 
tricts of Madagascar these lemurs are not allowed to be killed or to be kept 
either dead or alive, on account of some superstitious ideas of the natives. One 
of the most remarkable peculiarities of this lemur is the marked padded nature of 
the hand. 




THE RUFFED LEMUR. 



THE RUFFED LEMUR. Ellis, while journeying through one of the Mada- 
gascar forests, noticed, one bright, clear and bracing morning, a peculiar shouting 



152 APES AND MONKEYS. 



or hallooing, apparently at no very great distance. It was, he wrote, " not like 
any sound I had heard before, but resembled that of men or boys calling to each 
other more than anything else. At first I thought it was a number of people 
driving cattle out of the forest into the road. Still I heard no crashing amongst 
the underwood, and saw no signs of bullocks. Then I imagined it must be a 
number of bird-catchers, or squirrel-catchers. But on inquiring of my com- 
panions they said the noise proceeded from the Black-and-white Lemurs, of which 
there were great numbers in the forests. I had repeatedly seen lemurs of more 
than one species in the market at Tamative, and numbers among the people of the 
place. There were two or three of the large ruffed lemurs in a house near my 
own dwelling and they seemed to be quite domesticated. Though covered with 
thick, almost woolly, hair, they appeared to be ill at ease in wet or cold weather, 
but to luxuriate in the warm sunshine. I often noticed two or three of them 
together on a fine morning after rain; raised upon their hind legs, on the outside 
of the house, leaning back against the wall with the forelegs spread out, evidently 
enjoying the warmth of the sun which was shining upon them. They are often 
kept tame by the natives for a long time, and numbers are sold to the masters of 
ships and others visiting the port. 

THE CALACOS are most interesting, lively creatures, and they have won- 
derful ears, which are long, large, and elliptical, and can be furled up if the animals 
become frightened. Moreover, they have a long heel-bone, and the tail, often 
bushy, either equals or is longer than the trunk. 

THE SENEGAL CALACO. This is interesting from being the earliest 
known species of true Galago, and also as apparently having the widest range of 
geographical distribution. Its habits in no way differ from the other Galagos, 
though it is asserted that when pressed by hunger it feeds on the gum-arabic, 
plentiful in the acacia trees of its native forests. Its eagerness in the capture of 
insect prey is well attested. It pursues beetles, sphinges, and moths with great 
ardor, even while they are on the wing, making prodigious bounds at them, and 
often leaping right upward to seize them. Should it by chance miss its object and 
accidentally fall from the branch to the ground it re-ascends with the rapidity of 
flight to renew the hunt. In captivity it freely eats chopped meat, eggs, and milk. 
Although good tempered in confinement, it nevertheless is vivacious and petulant. 
At night it is always on the move, and if the occasion arises, darts off to the 
woods without a moment's delay. The Moors say its flesh is good eating. 

THE MAHOLI CALACO is one of the most charming and interesting little 
creatures imaginable. The general coloring of the upper parts is a yellowish or 
brownish-grey, with slightly darker brindling on the back, a broad nose-streak, 
cheeks and throat white, and a tinge of yellow intermixed with the white of the 



THE GALAGOS. 



153 



belly and inside of the limbs. The great tender-looking eyes are of a deep topaz 
yellow ; the ears, flesh tint inside and downy white outside, are very big, and be- 
times are rapidly folded together like those of Garnett's Galago, giving the 



MMffi 




THE MAHOLI GALAGO AND THE SENEGAL GALAGO. 

creature great variety of expression. The head is somewhat globular, with a 
short, high, almost pointed nose. The delicate woolly fur of the body lengthens 
and darkens on the tail, most so toward its end. Smith observes that they spring 
from branch to branch, and tree to tree, with extraordinary facility, and always 



154 



APES AND MONKEYS. 



seize with one of their fore-feet the branch upon which they intend to rest. In 
their manners they manifest considerable resemblance to monkeys, particularly in 
their propensity to the practice of ridiculous grimaces and gesticulations. It 
spends the day time in the nests which it forms for itself in the forks of branches, 
or in the cavities of decayed trees ; and in these nests the females also produce and 
rear their young, of which there are generally two at a birth. Dr. Kirk found it 
common among the wooded hills in East Africa. He says, singly and in pairs they 

came about the camp-fires at night, and in 
the dim light resembled a bat in move- 
ments, by crossing from side to side, at 
single leaps, distances of six feet. A pair 
which lived a few years ago in the Zoolog- 
ical Gardens were a most interestingly 
tender couple. The day saw them nestled 
lovingly in their little box, and as night 
wore on they would peep out and cau- 
tiously and by stealth venture into their 
more spacious cage. Creeping down the 
branch, which served as a ladder, so noise- 
lessly that not a movement could be heard, 
they would suddenly spring hither and 
thither, not like ordinary quadrupeds, but 
in a manner only to be compared with the 
leap and dart of a Tree Frog. Approach- 
ing a dish of meal-worms laid out for 
them, they would snap them up with their 
forepaws so quickly that the eye could not 
follow the motion ; this rapidity of action 
equalled the Chameleon's tongue, whose 
protrusion and withdrawal baffles the eye, 
the fly gone being the main fact the 
observer is cognizant of. They seemed 
heartily to enjoy the Mealworms, these 
being dainties in comparison with their 
ordinary food, which was sopped bread, rice and milk, and fruit. 




MONTEIRO S GALAGO. 



MONTEIRO'S CALACO. This handsome animal comes from both East 
and West Africa south of the Equator, and is about as large as a cat, with a great 
bushy tail some three or four inches longer than the body. This appendage it 
carries aloft very majestically, or swerves it to and fro as a kind of rudder in 
climbing, occasionally sweeping it along the back and belly, or curling it around 
the body after the manner of the lemurs. Being nocturnal in its habits, the eyes, 



THE ANGWANTIBO—SLOW LORIS. 



155 



which are large, and with great, wide, dark pupils and a brown-red iris, have a 
glassy, glimmering appearance in daylight, but look like balls of fire at night. 
The ears are a remarkable feature ; about a third shorter than the head, they stand 
out like great, flattish, elliptical-mouthed trumpets, ever changing position and 
shape, and catching all sounds, and they are nearly bare within and slightly hairy 
outside. It is of a light chinchilla-grey all over, save the tail and the throat, which 
are nearly white. The nose is black and bare, and the feet are deep brown. The 
entire length of the animal 
i s twenty-eight inches, 
whereof the tail is sixteen. 



THE ANGWANTIBO. 

Our knowledge of this curi- 
ous African species, which 
comes from West Africa 
and Old Calabar, truly a 
"three-fingered Jack," is due 
to the Rev. A. Robb, when 
missionary at Old Calabar. 
The limbs are slender, the 
hind ones a trifle larger and 
stronger than the others; 
both feet and hands con- 
form to those of the Potto, 
with, however, a still 
greater reduction of the 
index finger. He observes 
that the hands and feet are 
divided, as it were, into two 
opposing portions, which 
he likens to the grasp of 
such climbing birds as the 
parrots. This peculiarity, 

along with the multiple blood-vessel division of the extremities, he thinks 
tive of long-enduring muscular action, stealthy step, and adaptation for g 
twigs of trees, rather than for the purpose of capturing a prey. 




THF. ANGWANTIBO. 



indica- 
ripping 



THE SLOW LORIS. " This animal is tolerably common, but, from being 
strictly nocturnal in its habits, is seldom seen. It inhabits the densest forests, and 
never by choice leaves the trees. Its movements are slow, but it climbs readily, 
and grasps with great tenacity. If placed on the ground it can proceed, when 
frightened, in a wavering kind of trot, the limbs bent at right angles, like a muti- 



156 APES AND MONKEYS. 



lated spider. It sleeps rolled up in a ball, its head and hands buried between its 
thighs, and wakes up at the dusk of evening to commence its nocturnal rambles. 
The female bears but one young at a time. In confinement they are at first sav- 
age, bite severely, and in spite of general slow movements, can do so pretty 
quickly, uttering a rough grunt or growl. They, however, get quiet, if not 
absolutely docile, in time, and are kept without difficulty, requiring no 
other diet than plantains, or any other kind of fruit. They become con- 
tent to remain in the smallest box, where another animal would soon pine 
and perish for want of exercise. When for a time confined they readily aban- 
don their nocturnal habits, eat during the day and rest at night. They will 
thus remain contentedly on an old punkah hung in a lumber room for many days; 
but, unless thoroughly reclaimed, they will often seize 
an opportunity during night to escape, never travelling 
far, however, and generally turning up in some thicket 
or bamboo-clump, or other quiet corner in the grounds. 
They greedily devour all sorts of insects, and also 
birds eggs." 

On one occasion Captain Tickell watched an indi- 
vidual crawling along the floor to seize a cockroach. 
When it had approached within ten or twelve inches, 
it drew its hind feet gradually forwards until almost 
under its chest; it then cautiously and slowly raised 
itself up into a standing position, balancing itself awk- 
wardly with its uplifted arms, and then, to his aston- 
ishment, flung itself, not upon the insect, which was 
off "like an arrow from a Tartar's bow," but on the 
spot which it had, half a second before, tenanted. This 
is its manner, however, of catching such of its living food as will wait long 
enough. Grubs, caterpillars, and the slower beetles are seized in one or both 
hands, and slowly carried to its mouth, and there solemnly munched up; the 
Nycticebus looking all the time, with its delicate small muzzle and its protuberant 
eyes, like one of those apologetic pigmy lapdogs ladies love to carry. It is almost 
wholly silent, but when roused to take food, now and then it utters a feeble tone, 
like the crackling of some substance in the fire. When angry, and about to bite, 
it gives forth a tolerably loud growl or grunt. When he is turned out of his 
quarters in davtime, he reminds one of a very young, awkward puppy without a 
tail. But his eyes, however, are enormous and owl-like, and seem to start protub- 
erantly forwards with an unmeaning stare. When his wits return, and the scare 
ceases, he softly turns on his heel, and with a very slow, measured pace — hand- 
over-hand, as sailors term it— makes for his box. There is a cool, sedate manner 
about his whole proceedings which may either be taken for wisdom or stupidity. 
During the night, when hungry cravings send him forth on his own account, his 




THE SLENDER LOUIS. 



157 



eyes light up, and he seems more alive to his interests, though seldom increasing 
the activity of his movements. On a table he waddles like a sailor newly ashore, 
but with a rope or bough to grasp, by foot or hand, there ensues a grip like a vise, 
and a steady mode of ascent putting him betimes out of reach or danger. 

THE SLENDER LORIS. The meager figure and long lank limbs of this 
creature give it a droll, half-starved look, its skin-tight robes and silent melancholy 
lending oddity, but not gracefulness, to its charms. If seen during the day, and 




THE SLENDER LORIS, SHOWING ITS ATTITUDES AND HABITS 



made to walk on a flat surface, what between its blinking, peeping eyes and 
awkward gait, a feeling of pity devoid of admiration is apt to arise. But watched 
at night, when it is clambering among branches, its character changes to that of a 
more lithe and nimbler animal, whose great staring eyes and gliding progress most 
surely indicate a nature less apathetic than a more hasty conclusion would warrant. 
Its uncommonly long body, devoid of a tail, is rendered more striking on account 
of limb-length, and the color is usually ot an unequal sooty-grey, the back mingled 
with much rusty-tinted or tawny hairs. 



158 



APES AND MONKEYS. 



The Slender Loris is very common in the lower country of the south and east 
of Ceylon. Dr. Templeton, who had several of them, observes "that after a few 
months' confinement they soon begin to pine and die. One was particularly noticed. 
If the room was perfectly quiet about dusk, it ventured about, crawling along the 
rails of the chairs with a very gentle movement. There was an interval of nearly 




THE MALMAG. 



a minute in the closing of its hands on the parts of the furniture which it grasped 
in succession, while moving its head from side to side with much grave delibera- 
tion. But when a spider or other insect came within its reach, its clutch at it was 
quick as lightning, and with an equal rapidity it was conveyed to the mouth. It 
seemed particularly anxious to avoid having its hind extremities touched. When 
approached, it retiringly slunk along the stick placed slantingly in the corner for 
its use, or along the back of the chair, with the usual deliberate movement. Its 



THE MALMAG.— THE A YE- A YE. 



159 



great goggle eyes would be fixed immovably on your face or hands if held towards 
it, and with every expression of fear. Its mouth appears small, and so little 
distensible that one cannot imagine it capable of biting anything except of very 
small size. The natives, nevertheless, assert that it destroys peacocks in the jungle, 
seizing them by the neck, which it clutches with such tenacity that the bird soon 




THE AYE-AYE. 

falls exhausted to the ground off its perch, or in its sudden flight, attempting to 
escape its persecutor. Having devoured the brain, the Loris leaves the rest of the 
body untouched." 

THE MALM AC. This is a small, active creature, which appears to excite 
great terror in the minds of the natives of the East Indian Archipelago, from its 



160 APES AND MONKEYS. 



curious-shaped face, and sudden appearance at dusk. So impressed are the 
inhabitants of some portions of Java with its malevolent influence, that if they see 
one of them on a tree near their rice-grounds, they will leave them uncultivated. 

About the size of a small, common squirrel, this tiny cause of fright has a 
round head, like that of a Marmoset, a pointed muzzle, large ears and staring eyes. 
Its grinning mouth gives a queer and comical look to the face. Its body is about 
six inches in length. The limbs are long, especially the hind pair, and the tail — 
about nine inches long — is slender, and furnished with a brush of long hair at the 
end. The color of the body is fawn-brown as a rule, and the bare parts are of a 
flesh tint, and the forehead, face, and nose are reddish, and there is a black eye- 
streak. The name is derived from the fact of the "tarsus," or ankle-bones, being 
remarkably developed, the heel-bones being very long. 

THE AYE-AYE. This is one of the most remarkable animals in the world, 
both on account of its peculiar squirrel shape and lemur-like construction, as well 
as on account of its habits. The animal was first kept and described by the traveller 
Sonnerat; who obtained a male and female from the west coast of Madagascar. 
He kept them on board ship and fed them on boiled rice for two months, when 
they died, and he used to remark that they used a finger of each hand to eat with, 
after the fashion of the Chinese, who use chopsticks. Having shown them to some 
of the natives of the east coast of the island, they were surprised, and denied that 
these curious-looking creatures belonged to their part of the country; moreover, 
they ejaculated "Aye-aye" on seeing them, and thus gave the familiar name to the 
breed. They are rare animals, and live a solitary life, or are found in pairs, but 
they never associate in bands of several individuals. They are essentially noctur- 
nal in their habits, for they sleep all the day long in the thick bunches of leaves of 
the bamboos in the most impenetrable part of the forests, and they are therefore 
rarelv seen, and are only met with quite by accident. The Aye-Aye feeds on the 
pith of the bamboos, and on sugar-canes, but it also loves beetles and their grubs 
as a change of food. During the dark nights it awakens the echoes of the forest 
with a kind of plaintive grunting, and jumps from bough to bough, examining the 
bark of old trees most carefully in order to find its favorite insect-food. 

The Aye-Aye is about three feet in length, including the long tail, and there 
is a half fox, half lemur look about it, with a little of the squirrel. The hind feet 
at first sight are like those of a monkey, as are also the limbs; but the hands are not 
in keeping with the rest, for the fingers are of all kinds of lengths, and the middle 
one looks as if it were atrophied and wasted. The Aye- Aye, according to the dis- 
covery of M. Soumagne, honorary consul of France in Madagascar, constructs 
true nests in trees, which resemble enormous ball-shaped "birds'-nests." They are 
composed of the rolled-up leaves of the so-called "Traveller's Tree," and are lined 
with small twigs and dry leaves. The opening of the nest is narrow, and is 
placed on one side, and it is lodged in the fork of the branches of a large tree. 



CHAPTER IX, 
ORDER II.— CH1ROPTERA, OR WING-HANDED ANIMALS. 

THE BAT. 

One of those ancient fables ascribed to ^Esop, which were the delight of our 
younger days, contains a description of a battle between the birds and the beasts. 




marsh bat. {One-half natural size!) 

The grounds of the quarrel we do not remember, and indeed the moral of the fable 
was tacked onto the conduct of the Bat. Availing himself of his combination of 
fur and wings, that astute animal hovered over the field of battle, and took his place 
on one side or the other, according to the direction in which the tide of success 
appeared to be turning, with the purpose, of course, of claiming in any case to be 
on the side of the victors. But this finesse was unsuccessful; the traitor was 
ii 161 



162 CHIROPTERA, OR WING-HANDED ANIMALS. 

scouted by both parties, and has ever since been compelled to make his appearance 
in public only at night. Passing over the ingenious explanation thus afforded of 
the nocturnal habits of the bats, this fable reflects pretty clearly the state of uncer- 
tainty in which the ancients were as to their precise nature. The union of a mouse- 
like body with long wings was a great puzzle to people who had no sound prin- 
ciples of natural history classifications to go upon; and even among the naturalists 
of antiquity there was much doubt as to the true position to be assigned to animals 
so singularly endowed. Aristotle seems to have thought they were birds with 
wings of skin; and Pliny describes them as the only birds which bring forth their 
young alive and suckle them. Among the Jews it is perfectly clear that the Bat 
was reckoned a bird ; it is distinctly included among the unclean fowls. The obfus- 
cation displayed by ancient writers with respect to the Bat is well shown in the 
following passage, in which Scaliger summarizes their opinions: — " It is indeed," 
he says, "an animal of marvelous structure; biped, quadruped ; walking, but not 
with feet; flying, but not with feathers; seeing without light, in the light, blind; 
it uses light beyond the light, but wants light in the light; a bird with teeth, with- 
out a beak, with teats, with milk, bearing its young even when flying." Can it be 
wondered at that such a creature should be a puzzle? 

Nevertheless, some ancient writers seemed to have entertained clearer notions 
on the subject, such as Macrobius, who maintained that as the Bat walked like a 
quadruped it ought to be classed with quadrupeds. Throughout the Middle Ages, 
however, the general opinion even of professed naturalists was that bats were 
birds; and we find this notion prevailing down to the time of Aldrovandus, in the 
latter part of the sixteenth century, and of Jonston, whose gigantic compilation 
was published in 1657. It is a question whether this notion that bats are birds has 
even yet been entirely dispelled in the popular mind, and no doubt many people 
still regard them as birds, because they can fly, just as whales and seals are con- 
sidered fishes, because they can swim, and centipedes and scorpions reptiles, because 
they crawl. John Ray, the father of modern zoology, writing in 1683, was the first 
to refer the bats to their true position among the Mammalia (animals which suckle 
their young), and in this course he was followed by Linnaeus, who actually placed 
these puzzles of former naturalists in his highest order of Mammals, the Primates, 
along with man and the apes. The position assigned to them by Linnaeus in the 
series of animals they have virtually retained in nearly all systems to the present 
day. By all modern zoologists the bats have been regarded as a distinct order of 
the Mammalia, characterized especially by their possession of the power of flight, 
and the consequent modification of the structure of their fore-limbs, which is indi- 
cated in the name given to the group (Chiroptera — hand-wings). They are, in 
fact, the only true flying mammals, and, indeed, the only truly flying Vertebrates 
except birds, for the so-called flying squirrels, flying lemurs, and flying opossums 
are only furnished with a broad fold of skin on each side of the body, which, when 
expanded by the spreading of the limbs, acts as a sort of parachute to sustain them 



THE BA T. 



163 



for a time in the air. This is also the case with flying dragons, although in them 
the membrane is stiffened by means of a portion of the ribs; and even in the flying 
fishes, in which the organs of aerial locomotion are formed by the fore-limbs, these 
merely sustain the fish in the air for a time by the increased surface they give it, 
but do not serve as real wings, like those of bats and birds. 

The organs of the senses are well developed. The ears are almost always of 
considerable size, sometimes very large and membraneous, and in most cases there 




THE COLLARED BAT. 



is in front of the cavity a sort of lobe of variable form, called the earlet, or tragus, 
representing the little rounded lobe which, in the human ear, projects from behind 
the cheek over the opening. The nostrils are either simple slits or apertures at 
the end of the muzzle, or surrounded by leaf-like organs, often of the most extra- 
ordinary forms; in fact, this tendency of the skin in bats to run out into membrane- 
ous expansions is one of their most remarkable characteristics, and, from their 
mode of life, this great development of the skin system would seem to be almost 
essential to their existence. 



164 



CHIROPTERA, OR WING-HANDED ANIMALS. 



The old proverbial expression, "As blind as a bat," is certainly not founded on 
a due appreciation of facts, for bats are by no means blind ; on the contrary, they 
are furnished with very efficient eyes, although, in most cases, these are little bead- 
like organs, very unlike the eyes usually seen in animals whose activity is nocturnal 
or crepuscular. But it would appear that the office of the eyes in guiding these 
animals is, at all events, supplemented by some other means. Towards the end of 
the last century, the Abbe Spallanzani made some exceedingly interesting, although 




LONG-EARED BATS IN FLIGHT. 



certainly very cruel experiments on various species of bats. He blinded these 
animals, sometimes by burning the eyes with a red-hot wire, sometimes by remov- 
ing the organs altogether, and even filling up the orbits with wax, and then allowed 
them to fly. In spite of the mutilation, the unfortunate little creatures continued 
quite lively, and flew about as well as those which still retained their eyes; they 
did not strike against the walls of the room, or the objects in it, avoided a stick 
held up before them, and showed a greater desire to keep out of the way of cat or 
the hand of a man than to escape contact with inanimate objects. One of these 
blinded bats was set free in a long underground passage, which turned at right 



THE BAT. 165 



angles about its middle. It flew through the two branches of this passage, and 
turned, without approaching the side-walls. During its flight it detected a small 
cavity in the roof at a distance of eighteen inches, and immediately changed its 
course in order to conceal itself in this retreat. In a garden a sort of cage was 
prepared, with nets, and from its top sixteen strings were allowed to hang down. 
Two bats were introduced into this enclosure, one blinded, the other with its eyes 
perfect. Both flew about freely, never touching the strings with more than the 




BLAINVILLE S BAT. 

tips of the wings. Finallv, the blind bat discovered that the meshes of the enclos- 
ing net were large enough to get through, and made its escape; and, after flying 
about for a time, made its way rapidly and directly to the only roof in the neigh- 
borhood, in which it disappeared. In a room containing numerous branches of 
trees, or in which silk threads, stretched by small weights, were suspended from 
the ceiling, the bats, though blinded, avoided all these obstacles; and when, after 
tiring themselves with their aerial evolutions, they settled on some object for the 
sake of rest, they would immediately arise again on an attempt being made to 



166 CHIROPTERA, OR WING HANDED ANIMALS. 

seize them with the hand. From these experiments it was perfectly clear that in 
threading the galleries of caverns and other narrow and pitch-dark places to which 
bats commonly resort for their diurnal repose, these animals were guided by some 
other sense than that of sight, and the worthy abbe set himself to ascertain what 
this sense might be. He commenced operations by covering the body of one of 
his blind bats with varnish, and found that this had no effect in rendering its move- 
ments uncertain. He then stopped up the ears with wax, and finally with melted 
sealing-wax, and still the bats obstinately persisted in avoiding obstacles placed in 
their way. Consequently they did not hear their way in the dark. Their remained 
the senses of smell and taste. To test the former the nostrils were stuffed up, but 
the only effect of this operation was to bring the creature speedily to the ground, 
owing to difficulty of breathing. Little fragments of sponge impregnated with 
musk, camphor or storax were fastened in front of the nostrils, and then the bats 
flew about as freely as ever, and showed the same power of avoiding contact 
with objects in their path. The removal of the tongue, as might be expected, 
produced no result. 

The food of the great majority of bats consists of insects, which they capture 
on the wing. The members of one great family, however, and some species of 
another, feed upon fruits ; whilst a few find at least a part of their nourishment in 
the blood of other animals. They generally fly in the twilight of the evening and 
morning, retiring to obscure places during the day, although some species will 
occasionally come out of their concealment by daylight. 

In temperate and cold climates they pass the winter in a torpid state suspended 
by their hind claws in their ordinary places of daily retreat, where they are often 
to be found in immense numbers. 

The greater number of species of bats which have been described from various 
parts of the world, but especially from tropical and sub-tropical regions, display 
two very strongly-marked types of structure, associated in general with very dif- 
ferent habits and modes of life. Some are exclusively confined to a fruit diet, or 
only consume animal food as an exceptional dainty ; while the others almost as 
exclusively find their nourishment in the swarms of insects which everywhere 
people the air. Of the latter, however, some few feed upon fruits, and others are 
said to diversify their insect fare by occasionally sucking the blood of other 
animals, and even of man himself. 

THE FRUIT-EATINC BATS, on account of the comparatively large size 
of most of the species, are characterized by having the face elongated and dog- 
like — whence the name of flying foxes is often applied to them by European resi- 
dents in the countries where they occur. 

"A favorite resort of these bats is the lofty india-rubber trees, which on one 
side overhang the Botanic Gardens of Paradenia, in the vicinity of Kandy. 
Thither for some years past they have congregated, chiefly in the autumn, taking 



THE FRUIT-EATING BATS. 



167 



their departure when the figs of the Ficus elastica are consumed. Here they hang 
in such prodigious numbers, that frequently large branches give way beneath their 
accumulated weight. Every forenoon, between the hours of 9 and 11, they 
take to wing, apparently for exercise, and possibly to sun their wings and fur, 
and dry them after the dews of the early morning. On these occasions their 
numbers are quite surprising, flying in clouds as thick as bees or midges. After 




COLLARED FRUIT BAT WITH YOUNG. 

these recreations they hurry back to their favorite trees, chattering and screaming 
like monkeys, and always wrangling and contending angrily for the most shady 
and comfortable places in which to hang for the rest of the day, protected from the 
sun. The branches they resort to soon become almost divested of leaves, these 
being stripped off by the action of the bats attaching and detaching themselves by 
means of their hooked feet. At sunset they fly off to their feeding grounds, 
probably at a considerable distance, as it requires a large area to furnish sufficient 
food for such multitudes. 



168 CHIROPTERA, OR WING-HANDED ANIMALS. 

" In all its movements and attitudes, the action of the Pteropns (the scientific 
name for the bats of this genus) is highly interesting. If placed upon the ground, 
it is almost helpless, none of its limbs being calculated for progressive motion ; it 
drags itself along by means of the hook attached to each of its extended thumbs, 
pushing at the same time with those of its hind feet. Its natural position is 
exclusively pensile ; it moves laterally from branch to branch with great ease, by 
using each foot alternately, and climbs, when necessary, by means of its claws. 

" When at rest or asleep, the disposition of the limbs is most curious. At 
such times it suspends itself by one foot only, bringing the other close to its side, 
and thus it is enabled to wrap itself in the ample folds of its wings, which must 
envelop it like a mantle, leaving its upturned head uncovered. Its fur is thus 
protected from damp and rain, and to some extent its bod}' is sheltered from the 
sun. 

"As it collects its food by means of its mouth, either when on the wing or 
when suspended within reach of it, the Flying Fox is always more or less liable to 
have the spoil wrested from it by its intrusive companions, before it can make good 
its way to some secure retreat in which to devour it unmolested. In such con- 
flicts they bite viciously, tear each other with their hooks, and scream incessantly, 
till, taking to flight, the persecuted one reaches some place of safety, when he 
hangs by one foot, and grasping the fruit he has secured in the claws and oppos- 
able thumb of the other, he hastily reduces it to lumps, with which he stuffs his 
cheek-pouches till they become distended like those of a monkey. Thus suspended 
in safety, he commences to chew and suck the pieces, rejecting the refuse with his 
tongue." 

THE INDIAN FLYING FOX. Southern Asia and its dependent islands 
may be regarded as the metropolis of the Fruit Bats. Here the species are most 
plentiful, and most numerously represented by individuals ; it is here also that the 
largest species occur. One of the best known is the Indian Flying Fox. "From 
the arrival of the first comer, until the sun is high above the horizon, a scene of 
incessant wrangling and contention is enacted among them, as each endeavors to 
secure a higher and better place, or to eject a neighbor from too close vicinage. In 
these struggles the bats hang themselves along the branches, scrambling about 
hand over hand with some speed, biting each other severely, striking out with the 
long claw of the thumb, shrieking and cackling without intermission. Each new 
arrival is compelled to fly several times round the tree, being threatened from all 
points ; and when he eventually hooks on, he has to go through a series of com- 
bats, and be probably ejected two or three times, before he makes good his tenure." 
No doubt these squabbles are rendered more violent by the disgracefully dissi- 
pated habits in which the bats indulge during their nocturnal expeditions, for, 
according to Mr. Francis Day and other observers, " they often pass the night 
drinking the toddv from the chatties in the cocoanut trees, which results either in 



THE MAN ED BA TS— HAMMER-HEADED BA T. 



169 



their returning home in the early morning in a state of extreme and riotous intoxi- 
cation, or in being found the next dav at the foot of the trees sleeping off the 
effects of their midnight debauch." 



THE MAN ED BATS. It will be unnecessary to do more than refer to a few 
of the numerous species inhabiting the 
islands of the Eastern seas, as their habits 
in all cases are almost exactly alike, and it 
would be useless to attempt the bare des- 
cription of a number of closely allied 
species. The Philippine Islands have a 
rather remarkable species, the Maned Friut 
Bat, the head of which is shown in our 
illustration. Japan possesses a smaller 
form, about eight inches long, and which 
is characterized by the woolly nature of 
its fur. Those islands of the Eastern 
Archipelasgo from Celebes to New Guinea 
and the Solomon Islands, which, according 
to Mr. Wallace, belong to the great Australian region, are abundantly supplied 
with fruit-eating bats, such as the Grey Fruit Bat, a small species which inhabits 
Timor and Amboyna. The small islands scattered over the ocean to the east also 
possess their peculiar species. 




head OF GREY FRUIT bat. (Natural size.) 



THE HAMMER-HEADED BAT. 




HEAD OF THE MANED FRUIT BAT. 

(Natural size.) 



most singular aspect. The length of the 

and the expanse of the wings twenty-eight inches 

to be known. 



A species presenting so grotesque an 
appearance that it might almost have 
served as the original of one of Cal- 
lot's demons (see next page), was dis- 
covered some years ago in Western 
Africa, by M. Du Chaillu, and des- 
cribed by Dr. Allen, of Philadelphia. 
It differs from all other Pteropine bats 
in the extraordinary size and shape of 
the head, which has a hammer-like 
appearance, owing to the muzzle being 
enormously developed and cut off 
abruptly in front, and the whole of this 
part of the animal is garnished with 
curious fleshy lobes, which give it a 
head and body is about twelve inches, 
Of its habits nothing appears 



170 



CHIROPTERA, OR WING-HANDED ANIMALS. 



THE INSECTIVOROUS BATS. The second sub-order of bats— which 
includes a much larger number of species, displaying a far greater variety of 
characters than those which have hitherto occupied our attention — has received 
the name of Insectivora, from the general nature of the diet of the animals com- 
posing it. A considerable number of insectivorous bats of different families have 




the hammer-headed eat. {Three-fourths natural size.) 

their noses furnished with curious leaf-like appendages, often of most complicated 
construction, and" these organs probably assist materially in the exercise of that 
delicate sense of touch which supplements or takes the place of the power of 
vision in guiding the bats in their obscure abodes. 

THE GREATER HORSESHOE BAT. Although most of the Horseshoe 
Bats inhabit warm countries, several species are found in more temperate regions. 



THE GREA TEE AND LESSER HORSESHOE BA T. 



171 



One of these is the Greater Horseshoe Bat, which occurs, although not very 
abundantly, in various parts of the south of England. He is a puffy and rather 
pursy-looking little fellow, with a head which appears full large for his body. 
The length of his head and body is about two and a half inches, and that of his 
tail, which is entirely enclosed in the interfemoral membrane, about an inch and 
one-third. His wings have an ex- ^^1^^/ ^ \ 

panse of thirteen or fourteen inches. 
The fur on the upper surface is red- 
dish-grey, and on the lower surface 
very pale grey; the membranes are 
of a dingy brown color, and the 
ears and nasal appendages pale 
brown. The ears are large, broad 
at their attachment to the head, 
pointed and turned outwards at the 
apex. The Greater Horseshoe Bat 
lives chiefly in deserted quarries, 
old buildings, and natural caverns, 
and is said to frequent the darkest 
and most inaccessible parts of such 
excavations. In such retreats it 
passes the winter in a torpid state, 
coming forth in the spring to prey 
upon the insects which constitute its sole nourishment. 




HEAD OF THE GREATER HORSESHOE BAT. 



THE LESSER HORSESHOE BAT. The Lesser Horseshoe Bat, the 
second British species of this genus, was formerly regarded only as a small variety 
of the preceding, and was first distinguished by Colonel Montague, who also first 
detected its occurrence in that country. It is about 
half an inch shorter than the Greater Horseshoe Bat, 
and its expanse of wing is about nine inches. In 
general aspect it resembles the larger species. The 
fur is equally soft and full, and of the same colors, 
except that the upper surface is a little browner, and 
the lower parts rather more tinged with yellow. In its 
habits this kind seems to agree with the Greater 
Horseshoe Bat. 




HEAD OF LESSER HORSEHOE 
BAT. 



THE DIADEM BAT, which is found among the mountains of Northern 
India, extends its range as far north as Amoy in China. The character of the nose- 
leaf in this species will be seen from the annexed figures, which show strikingly 
the great complexity of this curious apparatus. Behind the nose-leaf is the aper- 



172 



CHIROPTERA, OR WING-HANDED ANIMALS. 




HEAD OF THE MALE DIADEM 
BAT, ENLARGED. 




HEAD OF THE FEMALE DIADEM 
BAT, ENLARGED. 



ture of a peculiar sac situated in the forehead, which is characteristic of many 
species of the genus, and which can be turned out like the finger of a glove at the 
pleasure of the animal, and the surface of which secretes a waxy substance. Its 
centre bears a tuft of straight hairs, the tips of which project from the orifice 
when the sac is drawn in. The Diadem Bat is rather a large species, the head and 

body measuring from 

three and a half to four 

inches in length, and the 

expanse of the wings 

being about two feet. Its 

general color is light 

brown, darker on the 

upper surface, where the 

hairs are ringed with 

three colors — pale sepia 

at the base, then grey, 

then dark sepia, with the 

extreme tips a little paler. 
In captivity, according to Captain Hutton, the large ears of this animal are 
kept in a constant, rapid, tremulous motion, and the creature emits a low purring 
sound, which is exchanged for a sharp squeak when it is alarmed or irritated. 
When it is suspended in a resting attitude the tail and interfemoral membrane are 
turned up, not in front, as usual in bats, but behind, upon the lower part of the 
back. In this species and its allies Captain Hutton further noticed that when they 

are disturbed " the 

whole of the facial 

crests are kept in a 

state of constant agi- 
tation ; and as the 

animal hangs sus- 
pended by the feet, 

the head and muzzle 

are stretched forth 

and turned about in 

every direction, as if 

for the purpose of 

sniffing out the pres- 
ence of danger, and ascertaining the cause of the disturbance 





HEAD OF THE PERSIAN TRI- 
DENT BAT, ENLARGED. 



HEAD OF THE CORDATE LEAF BAT. 



THE PERSIAN TRIDENT BAT. Under this name Mr. Dobson describes 
a very remarkable species of this family in which the nasal appendages seem to 
attain the extreme of complexity. The ears also are of a very peculiar construction. 



PERSIAN TRIDENT BAT— LYRE BAT. 



173 



This is a small species, about two and a quarter inches long, and of a pale buff 
color, specimens of which were obtained at Shiraz, in Persia, at an elevation of 
4,750 feet above the sea. Its nearest ally, curiously enough, is to be found, accord- 
ing to Mr. Dobson, in the Australian Orange Bat. 



THE LYRE BAT. This extraordinary little creature, which measures only 
about three and a half inches in length, and is of a slaty blue color, paler beneath, 
has its ears considerably longer than its head, and united for nearly half the length 
of their inner margin, and the earlets {tragi) very long, divided at the end into two 
parts, one of which, the posterior, is pointed, and a good deal longer than the 




the African megaderm. [One-third natural size.) 

other, which is rounded off at the end. The ears are, in fact, about half the length 
of the head and body. 

The great size of the ears and nasal appendages in these bats have led Euro- 
peans in India to give them the name of Vampires, as they agree in these particu- 
lars with the true Vampire Bats of South America. The account given by Mr. 
Blyth is so interesting that, although rather long, we may give it entire : 

"Chancing one evening," he says, "to observe a rather large bat enter an outhouse 
from which there was no other egress than by its doorway, I was fortunate in being 
able to procure a light, and thus to proceed to the capture of the animal. Upon 
finding itself pursued, it took three or four turns round the apartment, when down 
dropped what at the moment I believed to be its young, and which I deposited in 
my handkerchief. After a somewhat tedious chase, I then secured the object of 



174 



CHIROPTERA, OR WING-HANDED ANIMALS. 




IIKAD ol- l.»Xi;-H\RI I) 



my pursuit, which proved to be a fine female of Megaderma lyra. I then looked to 

the other bat which I had picked up, and, to my considerable surprise, found it to 

be a small Vesper tilio, which, is exceedingly abundant, not only here, but apparently 
throughout India. The individual now referred to was 
feeble from loss of blood, which it was evident the Mega- 
derma had been sucking from a large and still bleeding 
wound under and behind the ear; and the very obviously 
suctorial form of the mouth of the Vampire was of itself 
sufficient to hint the strong probability of such being the 
case. During the very short time that elapsed before I 
entered the outhouse, it did not appear that the depredator 
had once alighted ; and I am satisfied that it sucked the 
it on the wing, and that it was seeking a quiet nook where 
vital fluid from its victim as it flew, having probably seized 

it might devour the body at its leisure. I kept both animals separate till next 

morning, when, procuring a convenient cage, 1 first put in the Megaderma; and 

after observing it for some time, I placed the other bat with it. No sooner was 

the latter perceived than the other 

fastened upon it with the ferocity 

of a tiger, again seizing it behind 

the ear, and made several efforts to 

fly off with it ; but finding it must 

needs stay within the precincts of 

its cage, it soon hung by the hind 

legs to the wires of its prison, and 

after sucking its victim till no more 

blood was left, commenced devour- 
ing it, and soon left nothing but 

the head and some portions of the 

limbs." 

The other Oriental species, the 

Cordate Leaf Bat, very nearly 

resembles the preceding, both in 

color and general characteristics. 

THE AFRICAN MECADERM. 

The best known African species 

is an inhabitant of the west coast 

of that continent, where it is found 

in Senegal and Guinea. In this bat 

the ears and nasal appendage attain even a greater development than in Megaderma 

lyra; the earlet is very long, especially the posterior division of it ; the ears are 




LONG-EARED BAT SLEEPING. 



THE LONG-EARED BAT— THE BARBASTELLE. 



175 



united by their inner margin for about half their length ; and the fur is of an ashy 
color, with a faint yellowish tinge. 



THE LONG-EARED BAT. This common British species is known by the 
large size of the ears, which are united by their inner margins over the middle of 
the crown of the head. Hence this group, the Plecoti of authors, may be regarded 
as naturally forming a sort of stepping stone from the Megaderms, with their 
extravagant dermal developments, to the more commonplace " Vespertiliones." 
In the Long-eared Bat this character is very striking, the ears being nearly 
seven-eighths as long as the head and body. The fur in the Long-eared Bat is 
long, thick, and soft; the hairs are blackish at the base, tipped above with brown, 




BARBASTELLE WALKING. 



with a reddish or greyish tinge, which appears to vary with the age of the indi- 
viduals, and beneath with pale, brownish-grey. All the membranes are dusky, 
usually with a reddish or brownish tinge. The head and body in this species meas- 
ures about one and five-sixths inches in length, and the tail is about one-sixth of an 
inch shorter. Its expanse of wing is ten inches. 

"At all hours," says Mr. Bell, "through the dead of the night, and in the dark- 
est nights, in the open fields or elsewhere, we have heard the shrill chatter of the 
Long-eared Bat over our heads, its voice, once known, being easily recognized 
from that of any other species." When sleeping, the long delicate ears are not 
generally left exposed, but are folded down under the wings, where they are care- 
fully tucked away. This is commonly the case when the bat has settled down for 
its day's sleep, and always occurs during hibernation. When the ears are thus dis- 
posed of, the earlets or tragi still project from the head, giving the little creature 



176 



CHIROPTEYA, OR WING-HANDED ANIMALS. 



the appearance of possessing only a pair of short pointed ears (see figure). In 
captivity the Long-eared bat soon becomes very tame and familiar. These bats 
will fly about the room, play with each other, and may soon be induced to feed 
from the hand. 



THE BARBASTELLE. This curious little bat measures about two inches 
in length of body, and its tail is about a quarter of an inch shorter. The expanse 
of its wings is ten inches. The cheeks are covered with black hair, which forms 
a sort of moustache. The ears are irregular in form, their tips being slightly 
truncated, and their outer margins sweeping in so as to form a notch, from which 
five or six folds run half way across the ear. The eyes are almost concealed by 
the black hairs on the cheeks. The fur is long and soft, and of a brownish-black 
color, with whitish tips, which are longer on the hairs of the lower surface. The 
membranes are dusky black. 

In its habits the Barbastelle seems to be rather solitary; both in its places of 
repose and in its evening flights it is generally 
seen alone. It sometimes takes up its abode in 
caverns, but almost any kind of retreat will suit 
it. Thus it ma)' be found in the crevices of 
walls and trees, in the roofs of sheds, behind 
shutters, and in fact in almost any situation that 
offers it a chance of concealment. Its flight is 
peculiar, being a lazy, desultory sort of flutter, 
performed as if with no particular object ; and 
according to Mr. Bell it is in the habit of 
approaching evening promenaders " so closely 
be heard, and even the cool air thrown by their 




HEAD OF NOCTULE. 



that the flutter of its wings may 
movement felt upon the cheek." 



THE NOCTULE. The Great Bat, or Noctule, is another well-known British 
species, although far from being so abundant as the preceding. Its head and body 
measures about three inches in length, and its wings are about fourteen inches in 
expanse. Its fur is of a reddish-brown color, nearly uniform throughout. 

The Noctule seems to prefer for its resting place the hollows of old trees, and 
generally to avoid buildings, although instances of its taking up its abode in or 
about the latter are not wanting. It is gregarious in its habits, considerable num- 
bers often retiring together to the same hiding place. 



WELWITSCH'S BAT. This curious bat is especially remarkable for the 
brightness and variegation of its colors. The general tint of the fur is brown, the 
hairs being black at the base, with brown tips, which are longer and paler on the 
hairs of the lower surface, rendering the fur of that part paler than that of the 



WELJVITSCH'S BAT— NEW ZEALAND BAT. 



Ill 



back. The head also is pale, and the muzzle shows an orange tint, as do the ears, 
which are longer than the head, and rather acute, with a long pointed tragus, 
reaching nearly half-way up the ear. But the most striking peculiarity of the 
species consists in the coloring of the wings, which are yellowish-brown, dotted 
with black near the body, and beyond this chiefly blackish-brown, with numerous 
yellow dots arranged more or less regularly in curved lines, while a broad band of 
brownish-orange, bearing a few black dots, follows the course of the fore-arm, and 
gives origin at the wrist to three other bands of the same color, one running down 
the margin of the wing and enclosing the first and second fingers, the other two 




welwitsch's bat. {Half natural size.) 



following the course of the third and fourth fingers, and thus breaking the dark 
ground color of the wing into three triangular patches. The arms and legs in 
Welwitsch's Bat are yellow, but the feet are black. The length of the head and 
body is about three inches. 



THE NEW ZEALAND BAT. Two species of bats have been ascertained 
to inhabit New Zealand, and both present characters which isolate them system- 
atically, just as much as their distant insular habitation does absolutely. The 
present species was discovered by J. R. Forster, the naturalist who accompanied 
Captain Cook, and described by him. It has short rounded ears ; there are 
12 



178 CHIROPTERA, OR WING-HANDED ANIMALS. 

cutaneous lobes at the angles of the mouth, and three true molars on each side in 
both jaws. The upper incisors are in pairs, the inner ones much larger than the 
outer, and are separated from the canines; the pre-molars are small and pointed, 
and the molars of the ordinary form in the allied genera. The tragus is short, 
rather broad, and rounded at the tip. The wing-membranes spring from the base 
of the toes; the interfemoral membrane is large, and contains the long tail, of 
which the tip only projects; and the heel-spurs are long, extending one-third of the 
distance between the heel and the tip of the tail. 




new Zealand bat. {Half natural size.) 

THE MOUSE-COLORED BAT. The Common Bat of the continent of 
Europe is a large species more than three inches and a half in length. Its fur is 
of a pale reddish-brown color above and greyish-white beneath, but with the bases 
of all the hairs black. In many parts of Europe, however, this species is exceed- 
ingly abundant, and lives by hundreds together, chiefly in church-towers and other 
similar localities, issuing forth in the evening to prey upon the insects which fly at 
that time. Moths are said to be its favorite victims, and the harder parts of these 
insects, with portions of the wings, are found unaltered in the bat's excrements. 
Notwithstanding their social habits, these bats are exceedingly quarrelsome ; they 
fight vigorously with their sharp teeth and the claws of their thumbs, often tearing 
each other severely, and even breaking the slender bones in the wings of their 
adversaries. 

THE COLLARED BAT. The Bats described certainly cannot boast of any 
great attractiveness in their aspect, but they must yield the palm of ugliness to a 



THE COLLARED BAT— B LAIN VLLLK S BAT. 



179 





HEAD OF MOUSE-COLORED 
BAT. 



HEAD OF COLLARED BAT. 

See page 163. 



curious species described by Dr. Horsfield. It is a clumsy, heavy-looking animal, 
of considerable size for a bat, measuring more than five inches in length from the 
tip of the nose to the root of the tail. Its body is entirely covered with a thick 

black skin, which is abso- 
lutely naked on the back, 

and only has a few short 

hairs upon the sides of 

the body, the interfemoral 

membrane, and the lower 

surface. The face and 

lips also have a few fine 

long hairs, and a curious 

collar of brown hairs runs 

round the neck. To add 

to the charms of the 
creature, the skin is thrown into thick folds in various parts of the body, the legs 
are thick, and terminated by clumsy feet, in which the first toe is very large, brist- 
ling with long hairs on the outside, and widely separated from the others, so as to 
acquire very much the character 
of a posterior thumb. 

This hideous bat was dis- 
covered in the peninsula of Mal- 
acca, and has since been found 
in Java, Sumatra, and Borneo. 
It does not appear to be abun- 
dant in ts native countries, and 
its apparent rarity is doubtless 
increased by its selectingfor its 
residence the wildest and most 
solitary districts in the heart of 
the great forests. During the 
day it usually retreats to the 
hollow trunks of trees, but 
sometimes takes its repose in 
holes in the ground or in clefts 
of the rocks, coming out soon 
after sundown, when it is seen 
flying heavily about the borders 
of the woods, or even high up 
above the forest in the plains. 

Another curious but by no means agreeable peculiarity of this species remains 
to be noticed. Across the base of the neck, immediately in front of the breast, 




head of blainville's bat. (See page 



180 



CHIROPTERA, OR WING-HANDED ANIMALS. 



there is a great pouch, which receives an oily secretion from a large gland. This 
secretion possesses an odor so strong as to be still perceptible after the animal has 
been preserved in spirits for several years ; and Dr. Salomon Muller states that his 
artist, when engaged in making a drawing from a living specimen, was affected 
with a headache and nausea so violently that he had much difficulty in completing 
his task. It appears that the fetid fluid gets diffused over the hairs bordering the 
throat-pouch, and thus readily passes off into the air, and may thus serve to enable 
these creatures to find each other in the dark retreats which they frequent. 



BLAINEVILLE'S BAT. A most grotesque species of bat, the position of 
which has been a subject of some discussion, was described many years ago (in 
1821) by the late Dr. Leach. As regards the development of the cutaneous system 

about the face, this species is without exception 
the most extraordinary species of the whole 
order (see figure). The length of the head 
ind body in this species is about two and two- 
thirds inches, and that of the tail from one inch 
to one and one-sixth inch, according to the 
sex, being longer in the male. The fur of the 
upper side is of a rich umber-brown, and that 
of the lower surface brownish-grey, the differ- 
ence being caused by the brown tips of the 
hairs above, which are wanting on those of the 
underside. The hairs on the inner margin of 
the ear are shiny brown. The membranes are 
dark brown. This species is an inhabitant of 
South America and of the West Indies, but it 
does not seem to be very abundant. Nothing 
has been recorded as to its habits, but it is probably a strictly nocturnal bat. 




HEAD OF VAMPIRE BAT. 



THE VAMPIRE, which was one of the earliest known species of these 
American bats, and is also the largest of all, is by no means an amiable-looking 
animal. The fur, which is long and soft, is usually chestnut-brown above and pale 
beneath. The length of the head and body in this bat is about five and a half 
inches. This bat has always been regarded as one of the most noxious of the 
blood-suckers of its family, and, in fact, it owes its name of Vampire to the belief 
in its sanguinary nature. But Mr. Bates, who certainly had good opportunities of 
observing it, acquits the Vampire of this charge. In describing his residence at 
Ega, on the Upper Amazon, he says: "The Vampire was here by far the most 
abundant of the family of Leaf-nosed Bats. It is the largest of all the South 
American species, measuring twenty-eight inches in expanse of wing. Nothing in 
animal physiognomy can be more hideous than the countenance of this creature 



THE VAMPIRE BAT. 181 



when viewed from the front; the large leathery ears standing out from the sides 
and top of the head, the erect spear-shaped appendage on the tip of the nose, the 
grin and the glistening black eye, all combining to make up a figure that reminds 
one of some mocking imp of fable. No wonder that imaginative people have 
inferred diabolical instincts on the part of so ugly an animal. The Vampire, how- 
ever, is the most harmless of all bats, and its inoffensive character is well known 
to residents on the banks of the Amazons. The church at Ega was the head- 
quarters of both kinds. I used to see them, as I sat at my door during the short 
evening twilight, trooping forth by scores from a large open window at the back 
of the altar, twittering cheerfully as they sped off to the borders of the forest. 
They sometimes enter houses. The first time I saw one in my chamber, wheeling 
heavily round and round, I mistook it for a pigeon, thinking that a tame one had 
escaped from the premises of one of my neighbors. The natives say they devour 
ripe cajus and guavas on trees in the gardens ; but, on comparing the seeds taken 
from their stomachs with those of all cultivated trees at Ega, 1 found they were 
unlike any of them ; it is therefore probable that they generally resort to the forest 
to feed, coming to the village in the morning to sleep, because they find it more 
secure from animals of prey than their nocturnal abodes in the woods." 




CHAPTER X. 

ORDER III— INSECTIVORA, OR INSECT-EATING ANIMALS. 

In the grand economy of nature small things play sometimes very consider- 
able parts; and the innumerable hosts of insects, making up by their numbers for 
their individual insignificance, are of very great importance in a great variety of 
fashions. One of their most striking functions is undoubtedly the checking of 
vegetable growth. They attack plants in all parts — in the roots, the stem, the 
branches, the leaves, and the flowers and fruit — in this way, while merely obeying 
their own appetites, imposing a constant check upon the increase of vegetation ; 
and being for the most part specially confined to particular plants or groups of 
plants, they assist materially in preserving the balance of power in the vegetable 
world. At the same time, it must be borne in mind that there is the same tend- 
ency in insects, as in any other group of organisms, to inordinate increase. The 
checkers thus need a check in their turn, and the number of other creatures whose 
business it seems to be to keep down the undue multiplication of insects is exceed- 
ingly great. 

We have seen that among the Mammalia, the bats for the most part have this 
duty imposed upon them. They attack the winged armies of perfect insects in the 
air, and must cut off an enormous number of potential parents of plant-eating 
larvae. But there are a great many insects which seldom or never rise into the 
air, and the larvae of those which are aerial in their perfect state are of necessity 
confined to the ground or the vegetation growing on it ; these are not without their 
Mammalian enemies. Many Mammals of the carnivorous and marsupial orders 
feed wholly or partially upon insects ; but there is one order of which most of the 
species are exclusively, or almost exclusively, confined to a diet of terrestrial 
insects, worms, and such "small deer," and which has consequently received the 
name of Insectivora, or "the insect-eaters." On trees, on the ground, and even 
beneath its surface, and in the water, these animals chase insects and their larvae ; 
and if they diversify their diet with worms and other invertebrates, or by attack- 
ing and devouring frogs, fishes, and small birds and Mammalia, or even in some 
cases feed chiefly upon such articles, or on fruit, the predominating taste for insects 
among the members of the order may justify the name. The Insectivora are in 
many respects related to the bats, and in some cases show a sort of affinity to the 

182 



THE TANA. 



183 



lower Quadrumana. In appearance many of them show analogy to different 
families of Rodents, or gnawing Mammals, the shrews especially being exceed- 
ingly mouse-like in their aspect; but, as might be expected from the difference in 
the habits, and especially in the diet of the animals, the simple inspection of the 
teeth is always sufficient to distinguish the members of these two orders. 

THE TANA. In the Tana the arrangement of the hair on the tail in two 
rows, something after the fashion of the barbs of a feather on the shaft, which is 
more or less recognizable throughout this genus, is especially remarkable ; and, as 
the hair is very long, the tail is rendered particularly bushy. The animal is one 




tana — golden-tailed variety. [Half natural size.) 

of the larger species, the body measuring from eight to nine inches in length, and 
its color is rather variable, although usually exhibiting various shades of reddish- 
brown, becoming darker or blackish on the hind part of the back, where, more 
over, the greater part of the hairs are of uniform tint and not grizzled. The color 
of the tail appears to be especially liable to vary. In the ordinary form of the 
species the tail is black above, with the basal half of each hair rusty brown, and 
dark brown below ; in another variety the tail is brownish-red above, and bright 
rusty-red below ; whilst in the beautiful form from which our illustration is taken 
the whole organ is of a reddish golden-yellow color. This is Dr. Gunther's variety, 
chrysura (golden tail). The Tana is an inhabitant of the forests of Sumatra and 
Borneo. According- to Sir Stamford Raffles, the animal is known to the countrv 



184 



INSECTIVORA, OR INSECT-EATING ANIMALS. 




people of Sumatra, and he was informed that it was always 
found on or near the ground. 

LOW'S PTILOCERQUE is a very elegant little 
creature. The specimen originally described by Dr. Gray 
in 1848 was captured by Mr. Low in Rajah Brooke's house 
in Borneo. The most distinctive character of the animal is 
to be found in its tail, which is an exceedingly peculiar 
organ. The tail itself is long and slender, and has the basal 
portion hairy ; then a long piece naked, covered with ring 
of broad, square scales, among which there are only a few 
short scattered hairs ; and, finally, about a third of its length 
is furnished with long hairs arranged on the two sides of 
the tail, so as to present the appearance of the two wings of 
a dart or arrow. 

The Ptilocerque, which is an inhabitant of Borneo and 
Sarawak, is between five and six inches long, with a tail 
rather longer than the body. Its general color is blackish- 
brown above, minutely grizzled by the yellowish tips of the 
hairs ; the lower parts and the cheeks are yellowish, and 
there is a black streak on each side of the face, inclosing 



THE RHYNCHOCYON. 



185 



the eyes. The tail is black, with the long hairs of the tip white, except a few 
toward the base. The habits of the animal are probably the same as those of 
the Tupaias. 

THE RHYNCHOCYON, which is a very rare animal in collections, appears 
from the description and figure of Professor Peters to be a queer-looking beast. 
It measures about eight inches in length, exclusive of the tail, which is rather long, 
tapering, and rat-like, being covered with a ringed skin, and furnished with only a 
few scattered hairs. The muzzle is produced into a very long, movable snout. 




the rynchocyon. [Half natural size.) 

The fur is of a rusty-brown color, with a blackish tinge about the ears and the 
back of the head, and some light reddish spots on the hind part of the back. 

This animal lives in holes in the ground, from which it issues at night in search 
of the insects on which it feeds, and is chiefly interesting to the zoologist for the 
structural characteristics it presents. 

THE EUROPEAN HEDGEHOG. These animals are confined to the Old 
World, in nearly all parts of which some of the species are to be found. They 
feed chiefly upon insects and other small animals; most of them have the power 
of rolling themselves up into a ball, when the prickles with which the back is 
armed constitute a most formidable defensive armor ; and in cold countries they 
pass the winter in a state of torpidity. 



186 INSECTIVORA, OR INSECT-EATING ANIMALS. 

The Common English Hedgehog may serve as the type of this family ; all the 
species of which, with only a single exception, present a very close resemblance to 
each other, both in appearance and habits. All the hedgehogs, in fact, are small 
animals of robust form, with very short tails, and the greater part of the hairs of 
the upper surface converted into sharp spines. The hedgehog inhabits the whole 
of Europe except Scandinavia and the north of Russia. It may be met with in 
almost all situations, in forests, woods, fields, gardens, and orchards, where it takes 
up its abode in thickets, in hedge-bottoms, and even in holes in wails. In such 
situations it passes its days in sleep, for it is, strictly speaking, a nocturnal animal, 
although on rare occasions it may be seen abroad in the daytime. In similar situa- 
tions it passes the whole winter in a profound slumber, forming a nest for itself of 
moss or leaves, sometimes under the smaller growth of woods and gardens, some- 
times in a hedge-bank, in the hollows and among the bare roots of trees, and in 
holes among rocks or in walls. The nest most commonly consists in whole or in 
part of withered leaves, which appear to be useful in keeping out the wet, and as 
the innermost leaves are impaled upon the animal's spines, it retains a thin coat of 
leaves when turned out of its winter nest. 

As the spring advances, the hedgehog rouses itself from its long sleep, and 
proceeds to make up for the enforced abstinence from food which it has undergone 
for so many weeks. It comes forth in the evening, and runs about pretty quickly, 
but with a curious shuffling gait, in search of the insects and other small animals 
which constitute its usual prey. Insects, and particularly beetles, appear to form 
the greater part of its diet, and its teeth are admirably adapted for pounding up 
the hard skins of these creatures. In consequence of their predilection for insect 
food, great numbers of hedgehogs are brought to London, and other great towns ) 
to be kept in houses for the purpose of destroying the cockroaches, which are such 
disagreeable inmates in most kitchens. In the pursuit of these insects the hedge- 
hog shows much activity, and Mr. Bell says that he has " seen a hedgehog, in a 
London kitchen, push its way beneath a piece of carpet in all directions, and heard 
it at intervals crushing up the cockroaches which it met with. In a short time it 
freed the place of these pests." 

The hedgehog does not, however, confine itself exclusively to the consumption 
of invertebrate prey ; frogs and toads, mice, and even snakes, are not exempt from 
its attacks. It kills the viper by crushing its head, and proceeds to devour it from 
that end, without showing any signs of being injured by the poison of the snake. 
This curious immunity is said to extend also to other poisons, some of which are 
at least doubtful; but it seems certain that the hedgehog will devour the ordinary 
blister beetles without inconvenience, although a very small dose of them would 
destroy much larger animals. 

From the narrow point of view of usefulness to man, we may up to this point 
have a very favorable opinion of the hedgehog, but he has some other peculiarities 
which may perhaps be regarded as drawbacks. One of these is his attacking young 



THE EUROPEAN HEDGEHOG. 



187 




THE HEDGEHOG. 



game, and another his fondness for eggs. The general testimony of sportsmen and 
gamekeepers is to the effect that no young and small animals will come amiss to 
the hedgehog. There is also no doubt that the hedgehog will feed on the eggs of 

birds wherever it finds them ; and it is even 
stated that it will make its way into a fowl 
house, turn the hen off her eggs, and devour 
the latter. 

When disturbed in its excursions the hedge- 
hog has the habit of rolling itself up into a 
ball, with the head and legs tucked carefully 
away under the belly, and the whole exposed 
surface completely enclosed by the spiny skin 
of the back. This is effected by the contrac- 
tion of a most complicated system of cutaneous 
muscles, the most important of which, called the orbicularis panniculi, forming a 
broad band encircling the body, draws together the edges of the spiny part of the 
skin towards the center of the ventral side of the body, thus forming a sort of 
prickly bag within which the whole body and limbs of the animal are inclosed. 
When thus arranged, by 
the action of the cutane- 
ous muscles, the whole of 
the spines of the upper 
surface are strongly and 
firmly erected, making a 
fence which suffices to 
protect the hedgehog 
from the attacks of nearly 
all his enemies. Scarcely 
any dogs can be found 
with pluck enough to 
make a successful attack 
upon a rolled-up hedge- 
hog, although it is said 
that some dogs and foxes 
have a trick by which to A 
get at him, founded on v 
the fact that a jet of 
water poured into the 
small aperture within 
which the head of the head of the animal is concealed will cause him to unroll 
himself at once. The same power of contraction serves the hedgehog in good 
stead in protecting him from other perils. If he finds himself falling down a 




HEDGEHOG AND YOUNG. 



188 



INSECTIVORA, OR INSECT-EATING ANIMALS. 



precipice or from the top of a wall, or down a very steep slope, he immediately 
makes himself into a ball, and in this form will fall from very considerable heights 
(eighteen or twenty feet) without receiving the least injury; indeed, hedgehogs 
have been observed more than once voluntarily to throw themselves down con- 
siderable distances, contracting in this fashion. On reaching the bottom they 
simply opened themselves, and walked off none the worse for the fall. 

In captivity, if kindly treated, the hedgehog soon becomes familiar. He takes 
readily to almost any diet, and, he will even partake of intoxicating liquors, which, 
curiously enough, seem to have the effect of making him quite tame, after passing 
through a period of inebriety, during which his gestures and proceedings have a 
most ludicrous resemblance to those of a drunken man. 




THE BULAU. 



THE BULAU, as Professor Gervais says, is "a hedgehog with the body, and 
especially the head, more elongated than in those already described, with flexible 
hairs, and furnished with a tail which is nearly naked, and as long as the body. On 
the back a few stiff bristles are mingled with the softer hairs, as if to give a sort 
of indication of the animal's relationship to the hedgehogs; but it has no power of 
rolling itself up into a ball." 

The Bulau has a long, round, tapering, scaly tail, almost like that of a rat, but 
with a greater number of scattered stiff hairs among the scales. Its head is long, 
and its muzzle produced into a short proboscis. Its legs are rather short, and its 
feet are furnished with five toes, each armed with a curved and pointed claw. The 
general color of the body and limbs is black or greyish-black, with the head and 
neck pale or whitish, and with a black streak over each eye; the tail is blackish at 



THE BULAU—THE TAX EEC. 



139 



the base, whitish at the tip. The length of the Bulau is about twenty-six inches, of 
which the tail occupies twelve. Besides Sumatra, this curious animal, which may 
be regarded as a connecting link between the hedgehogs and the shrews, has been 
met with in the peninsula of Malacca, and in Borneo, and the neighboring island 
of Sarawak. The specimens from Sarawak and the mainland of Borneo opposite 
Labuan are said by Dr. Gunther to be all white, with only a portion of the longest 




THE TAXREC. 



and strongest hairs on the body black, 
appeared to be recorded. 



Of the habits of the Bulau nothing 



THE TANREC. The Tanrec, or Tangue, which is the best known species 
of the family, is entirely destitute of tail. It has a long pointed muzzle, small ears 
and short legs; the five-toed feet are armed with strong claws, and the body is not 
capable of being contracted into a ball. The animals of this family usually have 
the back more or less armed with fine spines or bristles among the softer hair, the 
legs short, the feet five-toed, plantigrade, and the tail very short or altogether 
wanting, except in one anomalous genus. 



190 INSECTIVORA, OR INSECT-EATING ANIMAIS. 

The Tanrec measures about fifteen or sixteen inches in length, of which nearly 
one-third is made up by the elongated head. Its body is covered with a mixture of 
bristles, hairs, and more or less flexible spines, the latter being especially strong about 
the nape and sides of the neck, where they measure about one-fifth of an inch in 
length, and form a sort of crest or collar. The spines are longer and more flexible 
on the body, where they are mixed with bristles, which prevail especially on the 
back, and these measure sometimes as much as two inches long. The belly and 
limbs are clothed with short hair. All these dermal appendages are yellowish, 
with the middle brown, giving the animal a general tawny color, which is paler or 
yellowish on the limbs. The face is brownish, and the long whiskers which spring 
from each side of the muzzle are of a dark brown color. This is the general 
coloration of the species, which, however, varies occasionally. The young are said 
to be brown with yellow longitudinal streaks, which disappear with age. 

This animal occurs abundantly in Madagascar. It passes one-half of the year 
in a state of torpidity, and this not in the hot season, as ha.s been supposed, but in 
the colder part of the year. About May or June the Tanrecs dig themselves holes, 
in which they sleep until December, with their heads comfortably tucked away 
between the hind legs. Their burrows are generally betrayed by the presence of 
a small heap of earth or moss thrown up at the entrance, and as the animals are at 
this time very fat, and regarded as great delicacies by the natives of Madagascar 
and the Creoles of Reunion, they are then pursued with great avidity. Their flesh 
is said by some people to be preferable to sucking-pig; but others complain that it 
has a musky flavor. In Madagascar the inhabitants hunt the Tanrecs with dogs 
trained expressly for the purpose. The Tanrecs live chiefly in the mountains, in 
places covered with mosses, fern, and bushes. Their food consists principally of 
earthworms, which they rout out by means of their feet and pointed snouts, using 
the latter after the fashion of a pig. Insects also form a part of their diet; and, 
like the hedgehogs, they are said to feed upon certain fruits and roots. In cap- 
tivity they will eat raw meat, and are also said to be fond of bananas. Their habits 
are nocturnal ; they sleep nearly all the day, and come forth in full activity only at 
night. 

THE ACOUTA. Forty-seven years ago (in 1833) Professor Brandt, of St. 
Petersburg, described a singular animal from St. Domingo, which was particularly 
interesting, both as being the only known representative of the Insectivorous 
Mammalia in the tropical regions of America, and also on account of its own extra- 
ordinary character. It was an animal of about the size of a small rabbit, the head 
and body measuring about a foot in length, but the muzzle was drawn out into a 
sort of trunk or proboscis, at the sides of which, near the tip, the nostrils were sit- 
uated; the body terminated behind in a naked, rat-like tail, rather more than eight 
inches in length ; whilst the feet, which were decidedfy plantigrade, and each fur- 
nished with five toes, had the latter armed with curved, compressed claws of 



THE AGOUTA—THE RIVER SHREW. 



191 



formidable dimensions, especially on the fore feet. The dentition clearly showed 
the animal to be insectivorous, but its characters were so peculiar that Brandt 
seems to have regarded it as a sort of intermediate form between the Shrews and 
the Marsupial Opossums. 

The eyes are small, and the ears of moderate size, and rounded; the body is 
covered with rather stiff hairs, which, however, leave the hind part, from the root 
of the tail downward, almost naked ; the tail is long, tapering, and ringed, with a 




the west African river shrew. {Half natural size.) 

few scattered, very short hairs; the legs are of moderate length, and the feet, all 
of which have five toes, are nearly naked, or covered only with short hair. 

The Agouta has the face, head, and upper parts brown, becoming blackish 
behind and on the thighs; the sides of the head and neck lighter brown, with a 
mixture of red and grey ; the belly and feet tawny brown : the breast bright rust 
color; and the tail greyish toward the base, and white toward the tip. 

Of the habits of this animal, long supposed to be the only species of its genus, 
nothing is recorded ; but its teeth very clearly indicate a carnivorous or insectiv- 
orous diet, and its habits, in all probability, resemble those of the following species: 



192 INSECTIVORA, OR INSECT-EATING ANIMALS. 

THE RIVER SHREW. This little beast, that has given rise to so much 
discussion among zoologists, and received so many names, is only a little larger 
that the common stoat, measuring about nine inches in length, exclusive of the 
powerful tail, which is of about the same length. In its appearance it very much 
reminds one of a miniature otter, from which, however, it differs considerably in 
the form of the head, which terminates in a broad flattened muzzle, having its sides 
furnished with a most luxuriant crop of stiff bristle-like whiskers. The hair of the 
upper part of the body and limbs is brown and soft, although rather coarse, and 
that of the lower surface yellowish ; and the coat consists of two kinds of hairs, 
namely, an inner coat of very fine short silky hairs, through which longer hairs of 
a very peculiar structure project. These long hairs are very thin at the bulb, and 
increase very gradually in thickness for about one-third of their length, when they 
suddenly contract a little, and then expand into a flat lance-shaped blade, which 
terminates in a very fine point. This coarser fur covers the whole body, the thick 
root of the tail, and the upper part of the limbs; the rest of the tail, the under side 
of the muzzle, and the upper surface of the feet are clothed with short, close hairs. 
The ears are of moderate size, the eyes very small, and the toes on all the feet five 
in number, armed with small sharp claws, and without webs, but the second and 
third toes on the hind feet are united as far as the end of the first phalanx. 

The most remarkable peculiarity of the animal is its tail, which presents a 
most unusual development for an Insectivorous Mammal. Professor Allman says: 
" It is so thick at its base that the trunk seems uninterruptedly continued into it; 
but it soon becomes laterally compressed, and then grows gradually thinner and 
narrower toward the tip. * * * Its lower edge is rounded, and its upper is 
continued into a membranous crest about one-eighth of an inch in height, and 
clothed with the same short, stiff, appressed hairs as the rest of the tail. 

This great development of the tail might of itself convince us that this organ 
is of great service to its owner, and such, from the account of the habits of the 
animal given by its discoverer, is evidently the case. M. Du Chaillu says: "This 
extraordinary animal is found in the mountains of the interior, or in the hilly 
country explored by me north and south of the equator. It is found along the 
water-courses of limpid and clear streams, where fish are abundant. It hides under 
rocks along these streams, lying in wait for fish. It swims through the water with 
a rapidity which astonished me ; before the fish has time to move it is caught. The 
animal returns to land with its prey almost as rapidly as it started from its place of 
concealment. The great motive power of the animal in the water seems to be in 
its tail." 

THE COMMON MOLE OF EUROPE, is, as its name implies, found 
everywhere in that continent, and is the type of the genus. 

The body of the mole is a cylinder terminating in a cone; there is no neck, 
and the nose is a boring instrument. The eyes are nearly imperceptible. The 



THE COMMOX MOLE OF EUROPE. 



193 



sense of hearing- is very acute ; there is no external ear, but the internal ear is 
highly developed. Its powers of smell, too, are excellent. The tail is very short, 
the coat black, thick, and silky. Their food is chiefly insects and earth-worms, and 
the dead bodies of small mammals or birds. The mole is essentially carnivorous ; it 
does not experience a mere sense of hunger like other animals, but a craving of the 
most powerful description- — a kind of frenzy. 

Each mole has its own encampment, frequently entirely separate from those of 
his fellows, but sometimes the animals evince a rather more sociable disposition, 
and condescend to make use of a common passage. But in his encampment, each 
mole always has his own dwelling, which has been, not inappropriately, styled his 




THE COMMON MOLE. 



fortress, and this certainly displays great ingenuity and skill in its design and con- 
struction. It is formed under a hillock of earth, in a situation which affords some 
protection to the little domicile. Its roof is a firm dome, the earth composing it 
being pressed into a solid mass by the mole while excavating the internal passages 
and chambers. Beneath this there are two circular galleries, one above the other, 
the lower one considerably larger than the upper, with which it communicates by 
five nearly equi-distant passages, running slantingly upward. Within the lower 
circular gallery is situated the actual dwelling-place or chamber, to which access is 
obtained by three passages descending from the upper gallery, so that when within 
his house the mole has to go both up and down stairs to reach his bedroom. But 
the chamber has another issue by a passage which at first descends for a short dis- 
tance, and then rises again to lead into the high road running to and from the 
13 



194 



INSECTIVORA, OR INSECT-EATING ANIMALS. 



fortress, which is always single; and, on the other hand, the lower and larger 
gallery gives off about nine other passages, which either terminate at a short dis- 
tance from the fortress, or, after making a detour, return into the high road. So 
cautious is the mole, that the apertures of these passages are said seldom to be 
made opposite to those which lead from the lower to the upper circular gallery. 

With these arrangements it must be 
confessed that the mole has provided 
admirably for being "not at home" 
to unwelcome visitors. 

The same caution that prompts 
the mole to the formation of so com- 
plicated a castle leads him to take 
equal care in the construction of the 
road leading into it. This usually 
runs in a direct line from one end ol 
the animal's camping ground to the 
other, and forms a highway by which 
he can go quickly about his business, 
It is large enough to enable him to 
pass through it easily, but in making 
it he is careful not to throw out the 
earth as he does in his ordinary runs, 
and the whole passage appears to be chiefly formed by compression of the earth 
by the little engineer. By his constant passing to and fro, its walls become 
singularly smooth and compact. Occasionally a mole will form two or more high 
roads leading from his fortress, probably when supplies fall short and it is necess- 
ary to open up new ground; and sometimes several moles share the same high- 
way, perhaps in localities where 
worms and grubs are peculiarly 
fat and abundant. But in the 
latter case, as there is not room 
in the little tunnel for one mole 
to pass another, if two of them 
meet by accident one of them 
must give way or retire into a 
side alley, otherwise a violent 
combat ensues, when the weaker mole feeding 

is ruthlessly killed and devoured. 
The road varies in its depth from the surface according to the nature of the soil 




MOLE S FORTRESS. 




THE STAR-NOSED MOLE. Besides the Old World form to which we 
have just referred, there are a few American species of this family, which differ 




THE WATER SHREW. 
195 



196 INSECTIVORA, OR INSECT-EATING ANIMAIS. 

rather more decidedly from the ordinary moles. Perhaps the most remarkable of 
them is the Star-nosed Mole, an inhabitant of our own country and Canada, 
extending from South Carolina to Hudson's Bay, and stretching right across the 
continent, from ocean to ocean. 

The most striking characteristic of this animal, which constitutes the genus 
Condylura, is the presence at the extremity of its elongated nose of a sort of fringe 
of about twenty long fleshy processes, forming a regular star, having the nostrils 
towards its centre. 

This curious little animal, which measures about five inches in length, and has 
a tail about three inches long, is of a brownish-black color, a little paler beneath, 
but appearing in certain lights perfectly black throughout. The naked, or nearly 
naked parts, such as the nose, with its singular appendages, and the feet, are gen- 
erally of a flesh-color, the tips of the fringes and of the claws being, in fact, quite 
rosy. The tail is well covered with hair. 

The Star-nosed Mole, like the other members of its family, lives beneath the 
surface of the ground, where it is able to burrow rapidly in soft earth. It prefers 

the vicinity of brooks and swampy 
places. The galleries do not run so 
near the surface as those of the Com- 
mon Shrew Mole. The nest is com- 
posed of dried grass, and placed in 
an excavation made under some pro- 
side view of snout of star- front view of tective object, such as a stump or the 
nosed mole. snout of star- roo t of a tree. The young show 

NOSED MOLE. scarcely any trace Q f the nasa ] ap . 

pendages. The precise use of these curious organs in the adult does not seem 
to be ascertained; probably they aid as sensory organs in the discovery of the 
worms and larvae of insects on which the creature feeds. 

THE COMMON SHREW MOLE. The Shrew Mole, which is often called 
simply the mole, is another very widely-distributed species in North America,, 
throughout the whole eastern part of which it is found abundantly. Like the 
other species of its genus, which inhabit the territories farther west, the Common 
Shrew Mole has an elongated, slender snout, which is cut off obliquely at the end, 
so that the nostrils, which are situated in this sloping surface, are turned forwards 
and upwards, and are not visible from below. 

THE WATER SHREW is one of the prettiest of European Mammals. Its 
movements, especially in the water, are very agile; and although, from its swim- 
ming by alternate strokes of its hind feet, its course is of a somewhat wriggling 
character, the peculiar mode in which it flattens its body so as to show a narrow 
white border on each side, and the silvery lustre of the coat of air-bubbles which 




THE WATER SHREW. 



197 



adheres to its back, give it a very elegant appearance when thus engaged. It is 
found chiefly about the rivulets of mountainous and hilly countries, generally 
showing a preference for those quieter parts where the water flows smoothly over 
asandy bottom, but it will also make its way through more broken water, in 
shallow parts full of stones. Clear water seems to be the great desideratum, and 
if this can be secured the Water Shrew will put up with a lake or pond. It is not, 
however, absolutely confined to the water side, but will at times wander about the 
fields, sheltering itself under haycocks, and other heaps of dried plants, and even 
makino- its way into houses, barns, and outbuildings. 

Besides this small prey, the Water Shrew is said to attack almost any small 
animal that comes in its way— frogs, fishes, and even small birds and quadrupeds 
are described among its victims. It is also said to feed on the spawn of fishes, and 
will even destroy large fish, such as Carp, by eating out their eyes and brains. 

It measures about three inches and one-third in length, and has a tail rather 
more than two inches long, is generally nearly black on the upper surface and 
white beneath, the colors being usually separated by a distinct line of demarcation. 
The hairs fringing the feet and the lower surface of the tail are white. 



CHAPTER XI. 

ORDER IV.— CARNIVORA. 

The Carnivora, or flesh-eating Mammals, are divided into great groups, or 
sub-orders, living on land and the other in the water. The first is the group of the 
Fissif edict, or "split-feet," so called from the fact that the feet are divided into well- 
marked toes; the second is the group of the Pinnipedia, or "fin-feet" (Seals, etc.), so 
called from the fact that the toes are bound together by skin, forming fins or 
flippers rather than feet. 

THE LAND CARNIVORA. 

This group, which comprises all the great "beasts of prey," is one of the most 
compact, as well as one of the most interesting among the Mammalia. So many of 
the animals contained in it have become "familiar in our mouths as household 
words," bearing as they do an important part in fable, in travel, and even in 
history; so many of them are of such wonderful beauty, so many of such terrible 
ferocity, that no one can fail to be interested in them, even apart from the fact 
likely to influence us more in their favor than any other — that the two home pets 
which of all others are the commonest and the most interesting belong to the 
group. 

No one who has had a dog friend, no one who has watched the wonderful 
instance of maternal love afforded by a cat with her kittens, no one who loves 
riding across the country after a fox, no lady with a taste for handsome furs, no 
boy who has read of lion and tiger hunts, and has longed to emulate the doughty 
deeds of the hunter, can fail to be interested in an assemblage which furnishes 
animals at once so useful, so beautiful, and so destructive. 

It must not be supposed from the name of this group that all its members are 
exclusively flesh-eaters— and, indeed, it will be hardly necessary to warn the reader 
against falling into this mistake, as there are few people who have never given a 
dog a biscuit, or a bear a bun. Still, both the dog and several kinds of bears 
prefer flesh-meat when they can get it; but there are some bears which live almost 
exclusively on fruit, and are therefore in strictness not carnivorous at all. The 
name must, however, be taken as a sort of general title for a certain set of animals 
which have certain characters in common, and which differ from all other animals 
in particular ways. 

198 




KING OF THE FOREST. 
199 



200 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 



Comparatively few of the flesh-eaters are of direct use to man, at any rate 
while alive, yet one member of the group — the dog — is the most useful of ail 
domestic quadrupeds, though derived from one of the most savage of all — the 
wolf. The ferret, the cheetah and the cat are also more or less domesticated; but 
they come far below the dog in amiable qualities, and in value to man. Below 
their value in service comes the use of their most beautiful skins; and still lower 
down the scent, derivable from a few species. 

Most of the Carnivora may be looked upon as man's natural enemies, tor he 
has no chance of making headway unless he can keep "the beast of the field'' from 
"increasing upon him." Amongst primeval men, the tribes who made the best 
weapons to keep off these, the destroyers of their families, were certain to succeed 
best in the struggle for existence, so that the act of sharpening a flint-stone to repel 
the attack of some wild beast may be said to have prepared the way for civilization, 
for flint knives led to bronze hatchets, bronze hatchets to axes and hammers of 
iron, and when once iron-working was understood and appreciated, civilization 
went on with gigantic strides. 

The Carnivora are found all over the world, from the equator to the poles; in 
most parts of the globe they are abundant, the great exception being the Austral- 
ian region of zoological geography, namely, the immense island of Australia, which 
can only boast of a dog, doubtfully native, and New Zealand and the adjacent 
Polynesian Islands, which are quite devoid of members of the group, the native 
dog of New Zealand having probably been recently introduced. 

There is considerable range of size among the various members of the group, 
the lion and tiger being the largest, the weasel and suricate the smallest. As to 
their habits, the Carnivora are much varied; leaving out as we do for the present 
the fin-footed seals, sea bears, and walruses, we yet have the semi-aquatic otter and 
Enhydra, or sea otter, both at home in the watery element, and most expert 
swimmers and divers; but for the most part of the flesh-eaters are inhabitants of the 
copse, the jungle, and the forest. Many are nimble climbers, some are arboreal 
in their habits, living entirely in trees, and most crepuscular, that is, hunt their 
prey after dusk. 

As to their diet, we mentioned above that they are by no means all flesh-eaters; 
in fact there is every gradition from those which live exclusively on animal food, 
such as the lion, tiger, etc., to the purely herbiborous kinds of bear. Some again, 
such as the cat family, seem to prefer flesh-meat, others, such as the otter, adopt a 
Lenten diet, and feed on fish or eggs. This matter, however, is, of course, largely 
determined by the habitat of the animal, those whose habitation is inland being 
compelled to devour land animals, while those living by the sea or by river-banks 
usually take to fish either occasionally or as a regular thing. 

Turning to the structure of the group, one of the first things that strikes us is 
the looseness of their skin, which, instead of being stretched on the body as tightly 
as a drum parchment, as it is in grass-eaters— for instance, the ox or hippopotamus 




THE LION AND HI 

201 



202 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 

— is quite "baggy," having between it and the flesh of the beast a layer of the 
loosest possible fibres. It is for this reason that the skin of any but a very fat dog 
can be pinched up so readily, while of a Herbivore it may be said you can hardly 
get up enough of him between your fingers and thumb to pinch him anywhere. 
In consequence of this the operation of skinning a lion or bear is a comparatively 
easy one. After the first cut the beast may be pulled out of his skin, almost 
without further use of the knife; while with an antelope or an ox the skin has to be 
cut away carefully and laboriously from the underlying flesh. 

The use of this loose skin will be very evident to any one who will take the 
trouble to watch the great cats playing together at the Zoological Gardens. They 
are continually scratching one another, but the loose skin is dragged round by the 
claws which, in consequence, can get no hold, and do no harm; with a tight skin, 
on the other hand, the slightest scratch of such a claw as a tiger's would cause a 
serious wound. The looseness ot the skin is very evident in the puma and jaguar, 
in which it hangs in a fold along the middle of the belly, like a great dewlap. 

The way in which the eyes of the Carnivora are set in their head indicates 
their habits of life. They look straight forward, and are expressive, in the nobler 
kinds, of the energy and cruelty of their owner's disposition. As in many of the 
Lemurs, the eye possesses what is called a tapetum, a sort of reflecting mirror in 
the bottom of the eye, which redoubles, as it were, the faint rays of evening, 
evidently a very important thing for these, mostly nocturnal, animals. 

The sense of hearing is as perfect as that of sight; not, perhaps, in the higher, 
musical sense ot the word, but for catching the faintest and feeblest undulations of 
the air. The mole is supposed to be most sharp of hearing; but it is a question 
whether he is quicker of hearing than his cruel neighbor the rabbit-killing weasel. 
Any one who has watched a cat sitting demurely by a mouse-hole, or a terrier on 
the look-out for a rat, will give the carnivores credit for the most acute sense of 
sound. Anatomy corroborates what simple observation suggests, and the internal 
as well as external organs of hearing in the Carnivora are most exquisitely perfect. 

Many members of the group live in families, that is, a male and female with 
their young form a little coterie by themselves, and associate very little with other 
families. Very few live in great societies or herds, after the manner of the grass- 
eating animals, such as oxen, antelopes, or wild horses, but an exception to this is 
afforded by the wild dogs of Constantinople, which roam the streets in great 
numbers, and by wolves, which invariably hunt in packs. 

The dogs and wolves, besides being gregarious, resemble the Herbivora in 
another and far less amiable characteristic, that is, they do not choose a mate for 
life or even for a season, but let their affections run wild and practice the most 
unmitigated polygamy and polyandry. Many of the larger cats, on the contrary 
— the lion, for instance — choose a mate, to whom they are wonderfully faithful. 

The young are always born in a comparatively helpless condition, not able to 
run about at once like a new-born calf or foal; they are generally blind for some 



THE LION. 203 



time after birth, and are entirely dependent on the mother for food and warmth. 
The higher Carnivora are most kind parents, and to the best of their ability, 
educate their young. All writers bear witness to the painstaking way in which the 
parent lion or tiger trains up its young and practices them for their trade of 
slaughter. Sometimes both parents, sometimes only one, go out with their 
offspring, and by example and precept show them the safest places to hide, the 
proper moment to spring, the best place to seize the victim, and so on. And the 
future tyrants are very apt, they thoroughly enjoy their schooling, and make the 
best possible use of their opportunities; so much so that the young of the great 
cats are far more dreaded than the old ones, as they not only kill to satisfy 
hunger, but commit wholesale slaughter, simply for practice and to keep their 
paws in. 

We suppose that nine persons out of ten, if asked to give three common 
examples of land Carnivores, would, almost without hesitation, name the cat, the 
dog, and the bear. The most accomplished naturalist would be unable to give a 
better answer to this question, as those three well-known animals are types of the 
three primary sections into which the whole sub-order is divided, and which may, 
in fact, be termed respectively the groups of the cats, dogs, and bears. It must be 
borne in mind, however, that the words are here used in the broadest and most 
general sense, for the group of "cats" includes not only the animals properly 
so-called, but also the Civets, Ichneumons, hyenas, whilst amongst "bears" are 
grouped raccoons, otters, badgers, weasels, and many others. 

THE CAT FAMILY. 

This is the chief of the families of Carnivora, containing as it does all the 
great beasts of prey. Its members are the most perfectly constructed of animals 
for a life of rapine ; their weapons — teeth and claws — attain the utmost degree of 
perfection, and their elegant form, silent movements, and often beautiful coloring 
make them in every respect the culminating forms of the flesh-eating group, and 
one of the chief of the upper branches of the great Mammalian tree. 

The Felidae are found over almost the whole world, and wherever they are 
found they are feared, for such a compact assemblage of bloodthirsty tyrants 
and ruthless destroyers has no parallel in the whole animal kingdom. 

Every part of these animals is so altered and specialized from the usual type, 
of Mammalian structure as to assist in the best possible way the capturing, killing, 
and devouring of living prey. Looking merely at the outside, we are struck with 
the lithe, agile form, the small head, the total absence of anything like a"pot-belly," 
the weii-proportioned limbs, the usually close fur, the stealthy, silent movements, and 
the eager, restless glance ; all characters suited to an animal to which powers of 
quiet rapid movement through jungle or long grass, of quick observation, and of 
great strength and agility, are of the utmost importance. 



204 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 

THE LION. The "King of Beasts" must, of course, be placed at the head of 
our list of beasts of pre)', for although he is excelled in size and ferocity by the 
tiger, in elegance of form by the leopard and jaguar, and in beauty of coloring by 
most of the great cats, yet it would be useless, even if it were advisable, to depose 
him from the throne he has, by the universal consent of mankind, so long occupied. 
And, truly, who would wish to uncrown him ? He is anything but an amiable 
beast — cruel and cowardly, greedy, treacherous, noisy, self-asserting, never forget- 
ful of the " divine right of kings " to prey upon their subjects. 

The lion is entirely confined to the Old World,where it ranges through Africa, 
from Barbary to Cape Colon) 7 , and extends into the southwest corner of xA.sia, 
where its range just overlaps that of the tiger. Except in this "debatable land" 
the two monarchs keep clear of one another, the lion keeping court over Africa 
and Southwest Asia, and the tiger ruling in Southern and Eastern Asia, the most 
important pretender in either kingdom being the leopard. 

When an animal has a wide geographical distribution it is almost always found 
that it exhibits, in different parts of its range, more or less well-marked varieties, 
distinguished from one another by evident though usually unimportant characters. 
This is the case with the lion, of which six varieties are usually distinguished, 
three being found in Africa and three in Asia. These varieties, or races, are as 
follows: 

1. The lion of Barbary is of a deep yellowish-brown color, and the mane is 
more developed than in any other variety, forming long tresses which cover the 
neck and shoulders, and are continued along the belly and the inside of the legs. 
This variety extends over the whole of Africa north of the Sahara. 

2. The lion of Senegal is found in the western part of Africa, south of 
the Sahara. Its fur is of a lighter color than that of the Barbary Lion, and 
the mane is less thick, and hardly at all developed over the breast and inside 
of the legs. 

2. The lion of the Cape ranges over the whole of South Africa, and is said to 
be found under two lesser varieties, one yellowish in color, and the other brown; 
the latter is considered to be the most formidable. The mane is darker than in 
either of the foregoing kinds. 

4. The Bengal Lion, as well as the other Asiatic varieties, is smaller than the 
kinds found in Africa. The mane is large, and the form less graceful than in the 
Cape or Barbary Lion. 

5. The Persian or Arabian Lion. — This is a paler variety found in Western 
Asia. 

6. The lion of Guzerat, or so-called "maneless lion," is usually stated to be the 
best marked variety of all, as its mane, though by no means absent, as the name of 
the variety would lead us to suppose, is very much less than in any other kind ; 
the body also is bulkier, and the legs shorter. Some writers, however, deny alto- 
gether the distinctness of the variety, and consider that the mistake of considering 



THE LION. 



205 



the Guzerat Lion as such, has arisen from the fact of young specimens having 
been described. The real size of the lion is much less than would be supposed 
before measurement; and he is very inferior in size to many kinds of the herbi- 
vorous animals, such as horses, oxen and buffaloes, and even the larger antelopes, 
such as the eland. 




LION OF BARBARY. 

It is curious to see what wonderfully different impressions are produced on 
different writers by the appearance of the lion in his native haunts. For instance, 
Captain Harris says, " Those who have seen the monarch of the forest in crippling 
captivity only, immured in a cage barely double his own length, with his sinews 
relaxed by confinement, have seen but the shadow of that animal which 'clears the 
desert with his rolling eye.' " 

On the other hand, Livingstone speaks in the most disrespectful, not to sav 
contemptuous way, of the animal's vaunted majesty of bearing : "When a lion is 



206 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 

met in the daytime, a circumstance by no means unfrequent to travelers in these 
parts, if pre-conceived notions do not lead them to expect something very 'noble' 
or 'majestic,' they will see merely an animal somewhat larger than the biggest dog 
they ever saw, and partaking very strongly of the canine features. The face is 
not much like the usual drawings of a lion, the nose being prolonged like a dog's ; 
not exactly such as our painters make it, though they might learn better at the 
Zoological Gardens ; their ideas of majesty being usually shown by making their 
lion's faces like old women in nightcaps. When encountered in the daytime, the 
lion stands a second or two gazing, then turns slowly round, and walks as slowly 
away for a dozen paces, looking over his shoulder ; then begins to trot, and, when 
he thinks himself out of sight, bounds off like a grevhound." 

The concluding sentence of this passage shows that Livingstone considers not 
only the lion's beauty to have been over-rated, but his courage also. The following 
extract quite bears out this opinion: 

"On riding briskly along early one morning, I observed, as I thought, a soli- 
tary zebra a few hundred yards in advance. I instantly alighted, and leaving 
'Spring' (his horse) to take care of himself, I made toward the quarry, gun in 
hand, under cover of a few small trees. Having proceeded for some distance, I 
peeped cautiously from behind a bush, when I found, to my astonishment, that the 
animal which I had taken for a zebra was nothing less than a noble lion. He was 
quietly gazing at me. I must confess I felt a little startled at the unexpected 
apparition; but, recovering quickly from my surprise, I advanced to meet him. 
He, however, did not think fit to wait till I was within proper range, but turned 
tail and fled toward the Swakess. Hoping to be able to come to close quarters 
with him, I followed at the top of my speed, and was rapidly gaining ground on 
the brute, when suddenly, with two or three immense bounds, he cleared an open 
space, and was the next moment hidden from view among the thick reeds that here 
lined the banks of the river. Having no dogs with me, all my efforts to dislodge 
him from his stronghold proved unavailing. Whilst still lingering about the place, 
I came upon the carcass of a gnu, on which a troop of lions had, apparently, been 
feasting not many minutes previously. Undoubtedly my somewhat dastardly 
friend had been one of the party." 

After such rude shocks as these to our faith in the African monarch's courage, 
Tt is positively refreshing to come across instances where the lion has shown him- 
self capable of very great boldness, such, for instance, as the following : 

" We were waked up suddenly by hearing one of the oxen bellowing and the 
dogs barking. It was moderately dark, and I seized Clifton's double rifle, and 
rushed out, not knowing where, when I saw the driver perched on the top of a 
temporary hut, made of grass, about six feet high, roaring lustily for a doppe- 
(cap). I scrambled up just as the poor ox ceased his cries, and heard th lions 
growling and roaring on the top of him, not more than fourteen yards from where 
we were, but it was too dark to see them. I fired, however, in the direction of the 



THE LION. 



207 



sound, and just above the body of the ox, which I could distinguish tolerably well, 
as it was a black one. Diza (the driver) followed my example; and as the lions 
did not take the least notice, I fired my second barrel, and was just proceeding- to 
load ray own gun, which Jack had brought me, when I was aware, for a single 
nstantonly, that the lion was coming; and the same moment I was knocked half a 
dozen somersaults backward off the hut, the brute striking me in the chest with 
his head. I gathered myself up in a second, and made a dash at a fence just behind 
me, and scrambled through it, gun in hand, but the muzzle was choked with dirt. 
I then made for the wagon, and got on the box, where I found all the Kaffirs, who 
could not get inside, sticking like monkeys, and Diza perched on the top. How 




THE LION OF SENEGAL. 



he got there seemed to me a miracle, as he was alongside me when the brute 
charged. A minute or two afterwards one of them marched off a goat, one of 
five that were tethered by the foot to the hut that we had so speedily evacuated. 
" Diza, thinking he had a chance, fired from the top of the wagon, and the 
recoil knocked him backwards onto the tent, which broke his fall. It was a most 
ludicrous sight altogether. After that we were utterly defeated, and the brutes 
were allowed to eat their meal unmolested, which they continued to do for some 
time, growling fiercely all the while. The Kaffirs said there were five in all. I 
fired once again, but without effect; and we all sat shivering with cold without any 
clothes on till near daybreak, when our enemies beat a retreat, and I was not sorry 
to turn in again between the blankets. I was just beginning to get warm again 



208 %HE LAND CARNIVORA 



when I was aroused by a double shot, and rushed out on hearing that the driver 
and after rider had shot the lion. We went to the spot, and found a fine lioness 
dead, with a bullet through the ribs from the after-rider; a good shot, as she was 
at least 150 yards off. Another had entered the neck just behind the head, and 
travelled all along the spine nearly to the root of the tail. I claimed the shot, and 
forthwith proceeded to skin her. I cut out the ball ; it proved to be my shot out 
of Clifton's rifle. This accounted for her ferocious onslaught. The after-rider 
was rather chopfallen at having to give her up to the rightful owner. 

"Diza got a claw in his thigh, and the gun which he had in his hand was 
frightfully scratched on the stock: rather sharp practice. A strong-nerved old 
Kaffir woman lay in the hut the whole time, without a door or anything whatever 
between her and the lions, and kept as still as a mouse all the while." 

Again:— "The enemy disdainfully surveyed us for several minutes, daring us 
to approach with an air of conscious power and pride, which well beseemed his 
grizzled form. As the rifle balls struck the ground nearer and nearer at each dis- 
charge, his wrath, as indicated by his glistening eyes, increased roar, and impatient 
switching of the tail, was clearly getting the mastery over his prudence. Presently 
a shot broke his leg. Down he came upon the other three with reckless impet, 
uosity, his tail straight out and whirling on its axis, his mane bristling on end, and 
his eyeballs flashing rage and vengeance. Unable, however, to overtake our 
horses, he shortly retreated under a heavy fire, limping and discomfitted, to his 
stronghold. Again we bombarded him, and again exasperated he rushed into the 
plain with headlong fury, the blood now streaming from his open jaws, and dyeing 
his mane with crimson. It was a gallant charge, but it was to be his last. A well- 
directed shot arresting him in full career, he pitched with violence upon his skull, 
and throwing a complete somersault, subsided amid a cloud of dust." 

The lion has some excuse for occasionally developing a strong running away 
propensity. His pace when going at full speed is wonderfully rapid, considering 
the length of his legs. As the following extract shows, he is able to outrun a first- 
rate horse, so that the animals on which he usually feeds would, if he choose to 
pursue them, have simply no chance whatever against him. As we shall see, how- 
ever, the lion seldom pursues his prey, preferring to lie in ambush and to spring 
upon a passing herd. This consideration makes the following experience rather 
remarkable. The lion probably pursued Mr. Baldwin not to satisfy appetite, but 
for revenge. 

"Now for an adventure with a lion, which I have reserved for the last. On 
Friday the old Masara captain paid me a visit. He had seen a lion in the path, 
and left a lot of Masaras to watch him. I had been working hard all day in the 
hot sun with an adze, making a dissel-boom for the wagon, and was tired, lame and 
shaky in the arms, and did not feel at all up to the mark for rifle-shooting; but I 
ordered 'Ferns' to be saddled, who was also not at all fresh, having had a tre- 
mendous burst in the morning across a flat after a lean Eland cow. Just after, I 



THE LION. 209 



caught sight of about twenty-five Masaras sitting down, all armed to the teeth 
with shields and assegais. My attention was attracted to a Kaffir skull, which 
struck me as a bad omen, and the thought entered ray head that it might be my 
fate to lay mine to bleach there. I did not, however, suffer this thought to 
unnerve me. but proceeded, and found that the lion had decamped. The Masaras 
followed his spoor about a couple of miles, when he broke cover. I did not see him 
at first, but gave chase in the direction in which the Masaras pointed, saw him, and 
followed for about 1,000 yards, as he had a long start, when he stood in a nasty 
thorn thicket. I dismounted at about sixty or seventy yards, and shot at him. I 
could only see his outline, and that very indistinctly, and he dropped so instan- 
taneously, that I thought I had shot him dead. 1 remounted and reloaded, and 
took a short circle, and stood up in my stirrup to catch a sight of him. His eyes 
glared so savagely, and he lay crouched in so natural a position, with his ears alone 
erect, the points black as night, that I saw in a moment I had missed him. I was 
then about eighty yards from him, and was weighing the chances of getting a shot 
at him from behind an immense ant-heap, about fifty yards nearer. I had just put 
the horse in motion with that intention when on he came with a tremendous roar, 
and 'Ferns' whipped round like a top, away at full speed. My horse is a fast one, 
and has run down the Gemsbok, one of the fleetest antelopes, but the way the lion 
ran him in was terrific. In an instant I was at my best pace, leaning forward, 
rowels deep into my horse's flanks, looking back over my left shoulder over a hard, 
flat, excellent galloping ground. On came the lion, two strides to my one. I 
never saw anything like it, and never want to do so again. To turn in the saddle 
and shoot darted across my mind when he was within three strides of me, but on 
second thought I gave a violent jerk on the near rein, and a savage dig at the same 
time with the off-heel, armed with a desperate rowel, just in the nick of time, as 
the old manikin bounded by me, grazing my right shoulder with his, and all but 
unhorsing me, but I managed to right myself by clinging to the near stirrup-leather. 
He immediately slackened his speed. As soon as I could pull up, which was not 
all at once, as 'Ferns' had his mettle up, I jumped off, and made a very pretty and 
praiseworthy shot, considering the fierce ordeal I had just passed (though I say it, 
who ought not), breaking his hind leg at 150 yards off, just at the edge of the thicket. 
Fearful of losing him, as the Masaras were still flying for bare life over the velt, 
with their shields over their heads, and I knew nothing would prevail on them to 
take the spoor again, I was in the saddle, and chasing him like mad in an instant, 
His broken leg gave me great confidence, though he went hard on three legs; and 
I jumped off forty yards behind him, and gave him the second barrel— a good shot 
just above the root of the tail, breaking his spine, when he lay under a bush roaring 
furiously, and I gave him two in the chest before he cried 'Enough !' He was an 
old manikin, fat and furious, having only four huge yellow blunt fangs left." 

Not only has the lion advantage of great courage — at least, except when com- 
ing in contact with those he feels to be his masters — and of great swiftness, but his 
H 



210 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 

strength is prodigious. He will fell an ox or an antelope with a single blow of his 
paw, break his neck with one crunch of his cruel teeth, and bound off with it to 
his lair as easily as if he were only carrying a rabbit. With a calf in his mouth he 
has been known to leap a wall nine feet high. Not an animal of the forest, save 
the rhinoceros, can hope to escape from such terrible perfections as these. Any 
quarry the lion may choose — ox, antelope or zebra — is bound to succumb. 

There is another characteristic about the beast which is a valuable accessory 
weapon. We mean the terrible roar — that deafening thunder voice, at sound of 
which the leopard and hyena hold their breath in awe, and the doomed flocks 
tremble and flee. With man even the noise, when heard for the first, produces an 
indescribable feeling, and a firm conviction that all his courage will be needed to 
meet such a fearful opponent. Sometimes, however, the lion seems to exercise his 
voice for fun, or for practice, rather than for striking terror into his hearers. 

The lion is a solitary animal, hunting alone, except from the commencement 
of the breeding season, when his wife goes with him, up to the time when the 
babies are beginning to know how to take care of themselves. Until they have 
arrived at months of discretion, "the lion tears in pieces enough for his whelps 
and strangles for his lionesses, and fills his holes with prey and his dens with 
ravine." 

The lion's den is made by scraping away the surface of the earth in some 
secluded spot, where the beast remains as long as game is plentiful, and there is no 
one to disturb him. When he has used up one hunting-ground, he departs for 
"fresh fields and pastures new." 

He hunts entirely by night, at which time it is not safe for any one, in a lion 
neighborhood, to stir without firearms, for the lion, with the laziness which distin- 
guishes him, will always prefer man-meat caught at once, to antelope or zebra- 
meat, for which he will have the trouble of looking. In the day time he spends 
most of the time in sleeping off his bloody carouse, and, until nightfall, is always 
very unwilling to be disturbed, and unless molested hardly at all dangerous, except 
in the breeding season. This seems curious, as, from the ferocity of the animal 
when attacked, or when he is catering for himself by night, it savors of the mar- 
velous to talk of such a savage being harmless under any circumstances. But 
there can be no doubt about the fact ; he seems to object to expose his actions not 
only to the light of day, but also to that of the moon. For this, we have the testi- 
mony of a man whose loss Englishmen have not yet ceased to deplore ; a man who, 
by universal consent, is facile princeps in the rank of African explorers: 

"By day there is not, as a rule, the smallest danger of lions which are not 
molested attacking man, nor even on a clear moonlight night, except they possess 
a breeding affection. This makes them brave almost any danger. And. if a man 
happens to cross to the windward of them, both lion and lioness will rush at him, 
in the manner of a bitch with whelps. This does not often happen, as I only 
became aware of two or three instances of it. In one case a man, passing when 




LIONS ROARING. 

the wind blew from him to the animals, 
was bitten before he could climb a tree! 
And, occasionally, a man on horseback 
has been caught by the leg under the 
same circumstances. So general, how- 
ever, is the sense of security, on moon- 



211 






212 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 



light nights, that we seldom tied up our oxen, but let them lie loose by the 
wagons. While, on a dark, rainy night, if a lion is in the neighborhood, he is 
almost sure to venture to kill an ox." 

The following passage shows how unusual it is for a lion to do an)' damage 
by day ; so uncommon that the natives consider a supernatural cause necessary to 
account for so remarkable an occurrence : 

" The Bakatla of the village Mabatsa were much troubled by lions, which 
leaped into the cattle-pens by night, and destroyed their cows. They even attacked 
the herds in open day. This was so unusual an occurrence that the people believed 
that they were bewitched ; 'given,' as they said, 'into the power of the lions by a 
neighboring tribe.' The)'' went once to attack the animals, but, being rather a 
cowardly people compared to Bechuanas in general, on such occasions they 
returned without killing any." 

The darker and stormier the night is the better the lions like it, and the more 
persistent will be their attacks. " The new moon brought, if possible, a more 
abundant supply of rain than usual ; nor did the lions fail to take advantage of the 
nocturnal tempest, having twice endeavored to effect an entrance into the cattle- 
fold. It continued, until nine o'clock the next morning, to pour with such violence 
that we were unable to open the canvas curtains of the wagon. Peeping out, 
however, to ascertain if there was any prospect of its clearing up, we perceived 
three lions squatted within a hundred yards, in open plain, attentively watching 
the oxen. Our rifles were hastily seized, but the dampness of the atmosphere pre_ 
vented their exploding. One after another, too, the Hottentots sprang out of the 
pack-wagons, and snapped their guns at the unwelcome intruders, as they trotted 
sulkily away, and took up their position on a stony eminence at no great distance. 
Fresh caps and priming were applied, and a broadside was followed by the instan- 
taneous demise of the largest, whose cranium was perforated by two bullets at the 
same instant. Swinging their tails over their backs, the survivors took warning by 
the fate of their companion, and dashed into the thicket with a roar." 

When a lion is fortunate enough to live in the neighborhood of villages, he 
naturally prefers the least troublesome course of selecting his supper from the 
flocks and herds of the inhabitants. It is said that in Algeria, some twenty years 
ago, each lion in the course of his life, cost the Arabs upward of $40,000.00, as 
he destroys every year cattle, horses, camels, etc., to the value of $1,200.00, and 
the average duration of a lion's life may be taken at thirty-five years. Thus, Jules 
Gerard, the celebrated lion killer, remarks that in one district the Arab who paid 
five francs a year to the State, paid fifty to the lion ! 

If there are no farms or villages handy, the lion has to content himself with 
the more troublesome course of catching wild prey. To this end he lies in ambush 
in some convenient spot, and waits patiently or impatiently until a herd of antelopes 
or zebras passes by, when he leaps upon one of the number, roaring terribly. He 
usually strikes the animal down at once, by the immense weight of his body, the 




LIONESS AND YOUNG. 
213 



214 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 



terrible blow of his paw, and the fearful grip of his teeth in the neck of his victim. 
If he misses his aim he never pursues the flying herd, but returns dejectedly to 
his lair and waits for another opportunity. 

The lion is said sometimes to develop the taste for "man-eating,'' which makes 
the tiger so terrible. This, however, is comparatively rare, except in old animals ; 
but, whether he eats men by choice or not, his depredations are fearfully extensive, 
especially when he has had a good deal of experience, knows exactly when to 
attack a place, and has lost wholly or in part the fear of man, which usually dis- 
tinguishes him. Here is an account of the termination of the career of one of 
these heroes, a perfect Dick Turpin among lions, so great had become his skill 
in "lifting": 

" We had not been many davs at that place when a magnificent lion suddenly 
appeared one night in the midst of a village. A small dog that had incautiously 
approached the beast paid the penalty of it life for its daring. The next day a 
grand chase was got up, but the lion, being on his guard, managed to elude his 
pursuers. The second day, however, he was killed by Messrs. Galton and Bam ; 
and, on, cutting him up, the poor dog was found, still undigested, in his stomach, 
bitten into five pieces. The natives highly rejoiced at the successful termination of 
the hunt; for this animal had proved himself to be one of the most daring and 
destructive ever known, having in a short time, killed upward of fifty oxen, cows, 
and horses. When he had previously been chased he had always escaped 
unscathed and every successive attack made upon him only served to increase 
his ferocity." 

The lion enjoys the honorable distinction of being, unlike most carnivora, 
strictly faithful to his spouse, although report says that she is by no means so vir- 
tuous, but only cleaves to her mate until a stronger and handsomer one turns up. 
Let us hope this is a base calumny. At the breeding season each lioness is usually 
followed by a number of lions, who try all means in their power to gain her affec- 
tions, and fight the most terrible battles with one another. In these fights the 
mane is of great use, for its length and thickness prevents the combatants taking a 
firm grip of one another's neck. Thus, the lion with the finest mane has the best 
chance of succeeding in life in two ways. The lioness is more likely to take a 
fancy to him than to a less favored suitor, for most of the lower animals, as 
well as ourselves, appreciate personal adornment very strongly; and he has also' 
the best possible protection in the tournament in which he is obliged to take part,, 
fighting against all comers. 

When the battle is over, and the "queen of love and beauty'' has bestowed the 
prize— herself — on the victor, the happy pair live together until the young are able 
to take care of themselves. The male often hunts for his mate, and allows her to 
take as much as she wants of the prey before satisfying his own hunger He cares 
for her in the same wa)' all the time she is suckling, and for the litter from the time 
when they are weaned till they are able to hunt for themselves. 



THE LI OX— THE TIGER. 



215 



The lioness produces from two to six at a litter. The cubs are delightful little 
creatures, about as big as a moderate-sized cat, blind at first, with pretty, innocent 
faces, and delightfully playful ways. The mother is devoted to them. When the 
cubs are about eight to twelve months old they begin hunting for themselves, by 
attacking smaller animals, such as sheep and goats, under their parents' direction. 
The period between the ages of one and two years is the worst part of the lion's 
existence, as far as the inhabitants of the district are concerned, for they "kill not 
only to support themselves, but also in order to learn how to kill." 

At the age of three the young lion's education is complete ; he leaves his 
father's house, and begins to think of getting a house and a wife for himself, and 
then in her company he "roars after his prey and seeks his meat from God" for the 




THE TIGER 



rest of his career. He is not full-grown until the age of eight, when he may be 
considered as quite adult ; and for many }'ears to come revels in the consciousness 
of unconquerable strength and power, and oppresses all inferior creatures to his 
heart's content. 



THE TIGER. As the lion is king of beasts in Central Africa, so the tiger 
reigns supreme in a large portion of Southern Asia, where it is the most dreaded 
foe of the native, and the noblest game of the English sportsman. Its great size, 
its wonderful activity and strength, its glorious coloring, make it, in many respects, 
the most striking of all the great Carnivora. The marvelous symmetry of its 
form, making it almost as much a "line of beauty in perpetual motion" as the 
greyhound; the flame-like bands of orange-yellow, with interspersed black shadows, 
winding over its lithe sides and terrible countenance, as well as the ferocity of its 



216 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 



disposition, and its seeming uselessness but for the work of destruction, have been 
the theme of one of the wierdest, most wonderful melodies of the artist-poet 
Blake. The color of a full grown tige-r in good health is exceedingly beautiful. 
The ground is of a rufous or tawny-yellow, shaded into white on the ventral sur- 
face. This is varied with vertical black stripes, or elongated ovals or brindlings. 
On the face and on the back of the ears the white markings are peculiarly well 
defined, and present an appearance as remarkable as beautiful. The depth of shade 
of the ground color, and the intensity of the black markings, vary according to 
the age and condition of the animal. In old tigers the ground becomes more 
tawny, of a lighter shade, and the black markings better defined. The young are 
more dusky in the ground coloring than the middle-aged or old tigers. The depth 
of color is also affected by locality and climate. Those found in forests are of a 
deeper shade than tigers found in more open localities. It is said that in more 
northern latitudes they are of a lighter color, almost white. The circular white 
patches on the back of the ears, and the white and black about the face, are very 
conspicuous in the tiger, rushing through the grass or jungle when disturbed. 
Brilliant as is the general color, it is remarkable how well it harmonizes with the 
grass or bush among which he prowls, and for which, indeed, until his charge, and 
the short deep growls or barkings which accompany it, reveal his presence, he may 
be mistaken. The tigress differs from the tiger; the head, as well as the whole 
body, is smaller and narrower. The neck is lighter, and is devoid of any crest, 
which, though very much smaller than the voluminous mane of the lion, 
undoubtedly exists in large and old males. The tigress is Hther, more active, and 
when accompanied by her offspring, far more savage and bloodthirsty than the 
male; she will then attack, even when unprovoked; and in defense of her young, 
of which she is proverbially fond, is as courageous as she is vicious. Most of the 
accidents that have befallen sportsmen and others who have encountered these 
animals have been due to tigresses. I have seen a tigress, accompanied by her 
young, charge, unprovoked, a line of elephants, and inflict severe injuries before 
she was dispatched. The only well authenticated case in which a sportsman was 
taken out of a houdah was one in which a tigress, in one bound, reached the 
sportsman, her hind feet resting on the elephant's head, the fore feet on the rail of 
the houdah. The occupant, who had mortally wounded her as she sprang, was 
seized, and, after a short struggle, dragged or thrown to the ground. The tigress 
then received another bullet, and died where she fell; the sportsman, severely 
wounded, was carried into camp, and slowly recovered. 

"It is generally admitted that the tiger attains the greatest size in India, and 
there can be no doubt that he is really the largest of the existing Felidae. The size 
of the tiger varies; some individuals attain great bulk and weight, though they 
are shorter than others which are of a slighter and more elongated form. The 
statements as to the lengths they attain are conflicting, and often exaggerated; 
errors are apt to arise from measurements taken from the skin after it is stretched, 



218 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 



when it may be ten or twelve inches longer than before removal from the body. 
The tiger should be measured from the nose along the spine to the tip of the tail 
as he lies dead on the spot where he fell before the skin is removed. One that is 
ten feet by this measurement is large, and the full-grown male does not often exceed 
this, though no doubt larger individuals (males) are occasionally seen, and I have 
been informed by Indian sportsmen of reliability that they have seen and killed 
tigers over twelve feet in length. The full-grown male Indian tiger, therefore, 
may be said to be from nine to twelve feet, or twelve feet two inches, the tigress 
from eight to ten, or perhaps, in very rare instances, eleven feet in length, the 
height being from three to three and a half, or, very rarely, four feet at the 
shoulder. 

" In disposition the tiger differs but little from the other wild Felidae. Although 
possessed of such immense strength and ferocity, he often shows himself a very 
coward. Like most animals he scarcely ever attacks an armed man unless pro- 
voked, that is, unless he (or she) be a confirmed 'man-eater,' although often seizing 
upon women and children. He shares with our domestic cat a love of cruelty for 
its own sake. It is sometimes an interesting sight to witness the demeanor of a 
tiger toward his terrified prey. When not raging with hunger, he appears to 
derive the same pleasure from playing with his victim as a cat in tormenting a 
mouse. He gambols around the buffalo as if enjoying his alarm ; and when the 
affrighted animal, in mad despair, feebly attempts to butt at his remorseless foe, 
the tiger bounds lightly over his head, and recommences his gambols at the other 
side. At last, as if he had succeeded in creating an appetite for dinner, he crushes 
the skull of his victim with one blow of his powerful fore-paw, and soon com- 
mences his bloody meal." 

Another point in which the tiger resembles the cat is the devotion of the 
female to her offspring, and the remarkably lively and skittish disposition of the 
"kittens," of which from two to five are usually produced at a birth. She is a most 
affectionate and attached mother, and generally guards and trains her young with 
the most watchful solicitude. They remain with her until nearly full grown, or 
about the second year, when they are able to cater for themselves. Whilst they 
remain with her she is peculiarly vicious and aggressive, defending them with the 
greatest courage and energy, and when robbed of them is terrible in her rage; she 
has nevertheless been knowa to desert them when pressed, and even to eat them 
when starved. 

As soon as they begin to require other food than her milk she kills for them, 
and teaches them to do so for themselves by practicing on small animals, such as 
deer, and young calves and pigs. At these times she is wanton and extravagant 
in her cruelty, killing apparently for the gratification of her ferocious and blood- 
thirsty nature, and perhaps, to excite and instruct the young ones, and it is not 
until they are thoroughly capable of providing their own food that she separates 
from them. 



THE TIGER. 



219 



The young tigers are far more destructive than the old. They will kill three 
or four cows at a time, whilst the elder and more experienced rarely kill more than 
one, and this at intervals of from three or four days to a week. For this purpose 
the tiger will leave its retreat in the dense jungle, proceed to the neighborhood of 
a village, and during the night will steal toward the herds and strike down a 
bullock, drag it into a secluded place, and then remain near the "murrie," or kill, 
for several days, until it has eaten it, when it will proceed in search of a further 
supply. When it has once found good hunting ground in the vicinity of a village, 
it continues its ravages, destroving one or two cows or buffaloes a week. It is 
very fond of the ordinary domestic cattle which, in the plains of India, are gen- 




TIGER HUNTING. 



erally weak, half-starved, under-sized creatures. One of these is easily struck 
down and carried or dragged off. The smaller buffaloes are also easily disposed 
of, but the buffalo bulls, and especially the wild ones, are formidable antagonists, 
and have often been known to beat the tiger off, and even to wound them seriously 
with their horns. 

Some notion of the fearful damages committed by tigers in India will be gained 
from the following extract: "Cattle killed in my district are numberless. As 
regards human beings, one tiger in 1867-8-9, killed, respectively, twenty -seven, 
thirty-four, forty-seven people. I have known it attack a party and kill four or 
five at a time. Once it killed a father, mother and three children; and the week 
before it was shot it killed seven people. It wandered over a tract of twenty 



220 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 

miles, never remaining in the same spot two consecutive days, and at last was 
destroyed by a bullet from a spring gun, when returning to feed at the body of one 
of its victims — a woman." 

As might naturally be expected, an enemy so dreadful is sure to have super- 
natural power ascribed to it by the credulous natives, whose property is destroyed, 
and whose lives are endangered by the ravages of this terrible beast. People in 
the state of civilization of the ordinary Indian villages are sure to think there 
is something more than natural in an animal capable of such wholesale destruc- 
tion, so wantonly cruel, of such fearful strength and such terrible beauty. 

Of course tiger-hunting is, par excellence, the "royal sport of India;" the game 
calling forth more courage and address from the sportsman than any other, and the 
"spice of danger" so necessary to the true sportsman being at its maximum. 
Usually, a hunt is made up of a considerable number of sportsmen, accompanied 
by a crowd of beaters. The elephant upon which each hunter rides is provided 
with a houdah of light wood and basket work, and consisting of two compart- 
ments, a front one in which the sportsman himself sits, and a hinder one occupied 
by his servant, who is in readiness with spare guns. The driver or mahout, sits on 
a cushion on the elephant's neck, armed with a pointed iron rod, or guj bag, toevery 
touch of which the docile animal answers. 

On arriving at a portion of the jungle where tigers are known to exist, the 
sportsmen hold themselves in readiness with loaded rifles, while the beaters, on 
foot, encircle the jungle, and endeavor, with shouts and gesticulations, to drive the 
game from their lurking place to the destruction which awaits them. As soon as a 
tiger appears every piece is leveled at him, and, in many cases, he is dispatched at 
once ; but often he is either entirely missed, or only slightly wounded, and then he 
at once makes for the nearest elephant, and often succeeds in making elephant, or 
mahout, or even sportsman, feel his cruel teeth and claws, before the coup de grace 
is given. A tiger is at no time the easiest thing to kill ; like its humble kinsman, 
the cat, it has "nine lives" to part with, and these lives are much more tenacious 
than in the case of poor puss. A tiger, holding on with tooth and claw to a writh- 
ing elephant, in such a position that a misdirected shot may kill man or elephant 
instead of tiger, is an extremely awkward beast indeed to deal with, and is often 
enabled to sell his life very dearly. When the day's sport is over, the tigers are 
either carried into camp on pad elephants, or skinned where they lie; the natives 
possessing themselves of the flesh, and everything else of which they can lay 
hold. 

The foregoing is the legitimate method of keeping down the tiger race, but 
many others are employed. "They are snared in pitfalls and traps, shot by spring 
guns and arrows, occasionally poisoned, and it is said that bird-lime has been used 
in their destruction." 

The perils of tiger-hunting are great and varied. In the following instance 
related by Sir Joseph Fayrer a large comic element was introduced, although the 




THE TIGER ESCAPED. 
221 



222 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 



fun is probably more striking to us to read of than it was to the hunter and his 
mahout, who took part in it : 

"A rather curious tiger-hunt, in which the tiger seemed to think that he should 
have his share of the sport as well as the ' shikarie,' occurred some short time ago 
in the Dhoon. A gentleman, well known in Dehra, an enthusiastic though rather 
inexperienced sportsman, the}' sav, went out about a month ago, into the Eastern 
Dhoon, for a day or two's shooting. Arrived on the ground, he was seated in his 
houdah on the elephant, looking ont anxiously for game of some sort, when the 
mahout suddenly cried, ' Sher, Sahib; burra, Sher!' for a tiger had made his 
appearance unexpectedly close to the elephant. The gentleman hurriedly fired, 
and planted a ball from his rifle, not in the tiger's shoulder, but in his abdomen. 
This mistake must have been due to surprise at the tiger's sudden advent on the 
scene, and the consequently hurried shot; otherwise such a want of knowledge of 
anatomy as was evinced in seeking a vital spot in the abdomen would be unpardon- 
able. The consequences of the mistake were serious ; for the tiger, resenting the 
sudden disturbance in the region where the remains of his last kill were peacefully 
reposing, charged the elephant, and, by a spring, succeeded in planting his fore 
paws on her head, while his hind legs clawed and scratched vigorously for a foot- 
ing on her trunk. 

" Imagine the feelings of the mahout, with a tiger within six inches of his 
nose ! the elephant trumpeting, shaking, and rolling with rage and pain, till he was 
barely able to maintain his seat on her neck at all ; and the occupant of the houdah, 
too, tumbled from top to bottom, and from side to side of it, as if he were a solitary 
pill in a pillbox too large for him. Of course, in this predicament, he was utterly 
unable to use his rifle to rid the elephant of the unwelcome head-dress she was, 
perforce, wearing. The attempt to fire, in all that shaking, would probably have 
resulted in his blowing out the mahout's brains instead of the tiger's, or in his 
shooting himself. Meanwhile, the mahout, with the courage of despair, slipped 
out of the gaddela, or cushion, on which he sat, and rolling it round his left arm, 
and taking the iron gujbag in his right, assailed the tiger manfully about the ears. 
But, being thick-headed, he did not seem to mind the gujbag at all ; for, after taking 
a bite at the elephant's forehead, he calmly continued his struggles for a footing on 
the reluctant and ever-dodging trunk, heedless of the rain of blows on his thick 
skull, and no doubt, promising himself to square accounts presently by swallowing 
the mahout, gujbag, and all. But the elephant was beginning to see that she 
couldn't shake the tiger off, so she tried another plan ; and, making an extempore 
battering-ram of herself, with the tiger as a buffer, she charged straight at a sal- 
tree, thinking to make a tiger pancake on the spot. But the sal-tree, alas! was a 
small one, and gave way under the shock, and away went tree, tiger, and elephant 
into an old and half filled-up obi, or elephant pit, which happened to be conven- 
iently placed to receive them just on the other side of the fallen tree. The tiger 
and the mahout were both knocked off by the shock and fall ; but the latter, luckily 




TIGER AND CROCODILE FIGHTING. 
223 



224 ThE LAND CARNIVORA. 



for himself, fell out of the pit, the former into it, under the elephant. The elephant 
now had her share ot the sport, and gave the tiger such a kicking while he lay 
under her, making a kind of shuttlecock of him between her fore and hind legs, 
that the breath must have been almost kicked out of him ; then deeming she had 
done enough for honor and glory, and that she couldn't eat the tiger if she did kill 
him, she commenced climbing out of the pit, whose crumbled and sloping sides 
luckily made the scramble out practicable. The mahout, who had by this time 
picked himself and his scattered wits up, rushed round and caught her by the ear 
just as she reached the level, and was preparing for a bolt, and scrambling rapidly 
up to his perch on her neck, succeeded in stopping her and turning her face to the 
foe once more. The elephant being now under command, our sportsman at length 
resumed his proper share in the proceedings, and the tiger, being still at the bot- 
tom of the pit, breathless, if not senseless, from the kicking he had undergone, by 
a well-directed shot put him finally hors de combat, and had the satisfaction of carry- 
ing him into the station in triumph, where his skin is preserved as a witness of this 
strange tiger-hunt. The elephant, though it got one nasty bite, and was badly 
scratched about the trunk and forelegs, is now none the worse for its single com- 
bat with the monarch of the Indian forests." 

Mr. Thompson recounts a tale of a planter, who, returning home after a 
carouse, a little too much under the influence of Scotch whisky, was sorely bested 
by a tiger: " It was rather dark, and verging on the small hours of morning when 
MacNab, mounting on his trusty steed, set his face toward home. Feeling at peace 
with all men, and even with the beasts of prey, he cantered along a road bordered 
with mangroves, admiring the fitful gleams of the fire-flies that were lighting their 
midnight lamps among the trees. But soon the road became darker, and Donald, 
the pony, pricked his ears uneasily as he turned into a jungle-path which led 
toward the stream. Donald snuffed the air, and soon redoubled his pace, with 
ears set close back, nostrils dilated, and bristling mane. Onward he sped, and at 
last the angry growl of a tiger in full chase behind roused MacNab to the full peril 
of his position, and chilled his blood with the thought that his pursuer was fast 
gaining ground, and that at any moment he might feel the clutch of his hungry 
and relentless claws. Here was a dilemma, the cold creek before him, and the hot 
breath of the tiger in the rear. A moment or two were gained by tossing his hat 
behind him, and then Donald crossed the stream at a bound. The tiger lost his 
scent, and Mr. MacNab reached home in safety, by what he delighted to describe 
as a miraculous escape." 

To us, who " live at home at ease,'' life would seem to be hardly bearable in a 
place where one is liable, any day, to meet with such an adventure as this — with 
every chance, too, of a less pleasant termination. But it is astonishing how indif- 
ferent to the presence of wild beasts the inhabitants of these countries become. 
Even Europeans soon acquire the same fearlessness, or, rather, apathy. Of this 
Mr. Thompson gives a striking illustration : " In these sparse settlements of 




at H« 



jers aT Home 



THE LEOPARD. 225 



Malays and Chinese, Roman Catholic missionaries are at work. I once fell in 
with one of these priests, shod with straw sandals, and walking alone toward 
Bukit, to visit a sick convert who had a clearing upon the mountain side. His 
path lay through a region infested with wild animals; and when I inquired if he 
had no dread of tigers, he pointed to his Chinese umbrella, his only weapon, and 
assured me that with a similar instrument a friend of his had driven off the attack 
of a tigernot very far from where we stood. But the nervous shock which fol- 
lowed that triumph had cost the courageous missionary his life." 

THE LEOPARD. The leopard, or panther, is undoubtedly the third in 
importance and interest of the great cats. From a historical point of view it is 
more interesting than the tiger, and would naturally come immediately after the 
lion, but its size, ferocity and beauty are so very inferior to the tiger's that it must 
needs yield to the glorious Bengalee. In the matter of beauty alone it is eclipsed 
by the jaguar, but the fact of its having been known from very ancient times, must 
decide us, in the absence of any important characters, anatomical or otherwise, to 
give it the precedence of its very nearly related American cousin. 

The characters of the hide are so characteristic that they must be given in 
some detail, especially as the spots must be distinguished from those of the jaguar, 
the great spotted cat of the New World. The skin is described as follows: "On 
an orange-yellow ground, passing below into white, are spots of deep or brownish- 
black, sometimes distinct, sometimes composed of two, three, or even four points 
disposed in a circle, and surrounding a space, always somewhat darker than the 
ground color, and shading into it below. On the medio-dorsal line, in the hind part 
of the body, the spots are so arranged as to produce three or even four regular 
parallel bands. On the side of the body, also, bands are found, but they are indefi- 
nite in number, and irregularly disposed. On the head and legs, the circular spots 
pass by degrees into mere points. The belly is strewn with great double points, 
irregularly disposed, and on the legs the points, also double, unite and form bands. 
The tail is covered over the greater part of its length with annular spots. On the 
hinder part of the ears is a clear spot." 

It must not be supposed, however, that all leopards have exactly the kind of 
marking here described, for it varies according to habitat, age, sex and season. 
Still the skin markings are definite enough to enable one to tell the true leopard, 
either from the hunting leopard (cheetah), the jaguar, or the clouded tiger, the only 
animals with which there is any possibility of confounding it. 

In size the leopard is decidedly inferior to either the lion or tiger; being not 
more than some seven feet six inches from snout to tip of tail, and two feet seven 
inches high at the shoulder. The tail itself is about three feet eight inches long. 
The female is somewhat smaller than the male, to which the above measurements 
apply. The whiskers are strong and white, and the eyes yellow. The head- 
quarters of the leopard are the African continent, where its range is almost co- 
IS 



226 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 



extensive with the lion's, as it occurs from Algeria in the north to Cape Colony in 
the south. 

Leopards frequent the vicinity of pasture-lands in quest of the deer and other 
peaceful animals which resort to them ; and the villagers often complain of the 
destruction of their cattle by these formidable marauders. 

The Singhalese hunt them for the sake of their extremely beautiful skins, but 
prefer taking them in traps and pitfalls, and occasionally in spring cages formed of 
poles driven firmly into the ground, within which a kid is generally fastened as a 
bait, the door being held open by a sapling bent down by the united force of sev- 
eral men, and so arranged to act as a spring, to which a noose is ingeniously 
attached, formed of plaited deer's hide. The cries of the kid attract the leopard, 
which, being tempted to enter, is inclosed by the liberation of the spring, and 
grasped firmly round the body by the noose. 

As a rule, the leopard seems to be far more cowardly than the lion or tiger. 
Jules Gerard, the lion-killer, holds the beast in the greatest contempt for its pusil- 
lanimity. Still it often shows a good deal of pluck, chiefly, however, when in 
want of food. As to this matter, the actual experience of those who have observed 
the animal in its native land will convey a truer idea than any "summing up" of its 
good and bad points. "One night I was suddenly awoke by a furious barking of 
our dogs, accompanied by cries of distress. Suspecting that some beast of prey 
had seized upon one of them, I leaped, undressed, out of my bed, and gun in 
hand, hurried to the spot whence the cries proceeded. The night was pitchy dark, 
however, and I could distinguish nothing; yet, in the hope of frightening the 
intruder away, I shouted at the top of my voice. In a few moments a torch was 
lighted, and we then discovered the marks of a leopard, and also large patches of 
blood. On counting the dogs, I found that 'Summer,' the best and fleetest of our 
kennel, was missing. As it was in vain that I called and searched for him, I con- 
cluded that the tiger (leopard) had carried him away; and, as nothing furlher 
could be done that night, I again retired to rest; but the fate of the poor 
animal continued to haunt me, and drove sleep away. I had seated myself 
on the front chest of the wagon, when suddenly the melancholy cries were 
repeated, and on rushing to the spot, I discovered 'Summer' stretched at full length 
in the middle of a bush. Though the poor creature had several deep wounds about 
his throat and chest, he at once recognized me, and, wagging his tail, looked wist- 
fully in my face. The sight sickened me as I carried him into the house, where, 
in time, however, he recovered. The very next day 'Summer' was revenged in a 
very unexpected manner. Some of the servants had gone into the bed of the 
river to chase away a jackal, when they suddenly encountered a leopard in the act 
of springing at our goats, which were grazing, unconscious of danger, on the 
river's bank. On finding himself discovered, he immediately took refuge in a tree, 
when he was at once attacked by the men. ft was, however, not until he had 
received upward of sixteen wounds — some of which were inflicted by poisoned 



228 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 



arrows — that life became extinct. I arrived at the scene of conflict only to see 
him die. During the whole affair, the men had stationed themselves at the foot of 
the tree, to the branches of which the leopard was pertinaciously clinging, and, 
having expended all their ammunition, one of them proposed, and the suggestion 
was taken into serious consideration, that they should pull him down by the tail." 

THE JAGUAR. The jaguar takes the place of the leopard in America,, 
and is the most formidable of the beasts of prey. It extends across the whole of 
the central part of the continent; its northern limit being the southwest boundary 
of the United States. 

It is a slightly larger animal than the leopard, fierce and sulky in expression,, 
but more elegant in form, and far handsomer as to its skin. The spots are arranged 
in larger and more definite groups, each group consisting of a ring of well-defined 
black spots, inclosing a space of a somewhat darker tawny than the ground color, 
in which lesser spots often occur. 

The jaguar is perhaps the fiercest looking of all the great cats, having an 
extremely ferocious expression and a horrid habit of showing its great fangs. The 
jaguar is found in North and South America, extending from the southern regions 
of the United States, through Mexico, Central America, and Brazil, as far south as 
Paraguay. Of its habits, occurrence, etc., the following interesting account is. 
given by Mr. Darwin: 

The wooded banks of the great rivers appear to be the favorite haunts of the 
jaguar; but south of the Plata, 1 was told that they frequented the reeds border- 
ing lakes. Wherever they are, they seem to require water. Their common prey 
is the Capybara, so that it is generally said, where Capybaras are numerous there 
is little danger from the jaguar. Falconer states that near the southern side of the 
mouth of the Plata there are many jaguars, and that they chiefly live on fish. This 
account I have repeated. On the Parana they have killed many wood-cutters, and 
have even entered vessels at night. There is a man now living in the B ijada, who, 
coming up from below when it was dark, was seized on the deck; he escaped, how- 
ever, with the loss of the use of one arm. When the floods drive these animals 
from the islands, they are most dangerous. I was told that, a few years since, a 
very large one found its way into a church at Santa Fe ; two padres entering one 
after the other were killed, and a third, who came to see what was the matter, 
escaped with difficulty. The beast was destroyed by being shot from a corner of 
the building, which was unroofed. They commit also at these times great ravages 
among horses and cattle. It is said that they kill their prey by breaking their 
necks. If driven from the carcass, they seldom return to it. The Gauchos say 
that the jaguar, when wandering about at night, is much tormented by the foxes 
yelping as they follow him. This is a curious coincidence with the fact which is 
generally affrmed of the jackals accompanying, in a similarly officious manner, the 
East Indian tiger. The jaguar is a noisy animal, roaring much by night, and 



THE JAGUAR. 



229 



especially before bad weather. One day, when hunting on the banks of the 
Uruguay, I was shown certain trees to which these animals constantly recur for 
the purpose, as it is said, of sharpening their claws. I saw three well-known trees; 
in front, the bark was worn smooth as if by the breast of the animal, and on each 
side there were deep scratches, or rather grooves, extending in an oblique line, 
nearly a yard in length. The scars were of different ages. A common method 
of ascertaining if a jaguar is in the neighborhood is to examine these trees. I 







THE JAGUAR. 

imagine this habit of the jaguar is exactly similar to one which may any day be 
seen in the common cat, as with outstretched legs and exserted claws it scrapes 
the leg of a chair; and I have heard of young fruit trees in an orchard in England 
having been thus much injured. Some such habit must also be common to the 
Puma, for on the bare hard soil of Patagonia I have frequently seen scores so deep 
that no other animal could have made them. The object of this practice is, I 
believe, to tear off the ragged points of their claws, and not, as the Gauchos think, 
to sharpen them. The jaguar is killed, without much difficulty, by the aid of dogs 
baying and driving him up a tree, where he is dispatched with bullets." 



230 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 

It has been stated that great contests take place between the jaguars and the 
alligators which frequent the rivers of the regions in which the great cat lives. It 
is said that the jaguar is fully a match for the alligator on land, while in the water 
the reptile has usually the best of it. The tale must, however, be taken with much 
allowance. A very curious fact is mentioned by Brehm, namely, that the jaguar 
always attacks negroes and Indians in preference to whites, and that a white man, 
obliged to sleep in the open air in a dangerous locality, always feels perfectly safe 
if accompanied by natives. It is thought that this is probably due to the strong 
odor which characterizes the skin of the negro and other dark races. As tending 
to confirm this extraordinary statement, we may mention an anecdote told by Pro- 
fessor P. Martin Duncan, F. R. S., of the behavior of the great Felidce at the Zoo- 
logical Gardens in London, Eng., toward colored people. Every one must have 
noticed the calm, supercilious way in which those grand creatures regard the vis- 
itors to their abode, seeming to regard them as beings of an inferior race come to 
pay rightful homage to strength and beauty; except at feeding-time, they seem 
hardly to give a thought to the admiring crowd in their house of reception, but 
pace regularly up and down their dens, or sit with paws thrust out between the 
bars, stolidly gazing. A short time ago, however, when the Prince of Wales' 
Indian animals were exhibited at the Gardens, a little black boy, one of the 
attendants attached to the collection, often passed through the lion-house; and 
when he did so, every cat in the place started to its feet, and rushed to the bars of 
its cage with great demonstrations of anger and ferocity. They evidently felt 
that here, at least, was one of the black, two-legged animals on which their fathers 
and grandfathers had fed from time immemorial, and that now was their time to 
strike for a pleasant change of diet, after the monotony of beef bones, ignomin- 
iously cut up and parceled out t') them. 

THE PUMA. The Puma, or "South American Lion,'' is the second great 
American Carnivore. It occurs far more widely spread in the Continent than the 
jaguar, ranging from the cold regions of the Straits of Magellan up to 50 or 6o° 
north latitude. In appearance it is not unlike a small lioness, having a tint some- 
what similar to the characteristic tawny color of the monarch of Africa, but 
darker, greyer, and less rich; the mane, too, is absent. Its head is proportionally, 
as well as absolutely, much smaller than that of the lion ; its face is rounder, and 
it is altogether a much smaller beast: its average size being about thirty-nine or 
forty inches from the snout to the root of the thick, strong tail, the latter again 
being some twenty-five or twenty-six inches long, and the height about the same. 
Indistinct spots occur, as in the lion, on the belly and the inside of the legs. The 
hind-quarters are very large, and are kept higher than the shoulders in walking. 
The skin beneath the belly is remarkably loose and pendulous. 

Unlike the jaguar, the puma avoids water, although well able to swim when 
necessary. It is as much at home in trees as on solid ground, and is a terror to 



THE PUMA. 



231 



the Capuchin and other monkeys which abound in the forests of South America. 
It is, however, a far more cowardly animal than the jaguar, and is not feared by 
the natives to anything like the same degree. Mr. Darwin, who has had ample 
opportunity of observing its habits, writes thus of it in his "Naturalist's Voyage": 

"This animal has a wide geographical range, being found from the equatorial 
forests, throughout the deserts of Patagonia, as far south as the damp and cold 
latitudes (53 to 54 ) of Tierra del Fuego. I have seen its footsteps in the Cor- 
dillera of Central Chili, at an elevation of at least 10,000 feet. In La Plata the 
Puma preys chiefly on deer, ostriches, bizcacha, and other quadrupeds. It there 
rarely attacks cattle or horses, and most rarely men. In Chili, however, it destroys 
other quadrupeds. I heard, likewise, of two men and a woman who had been thus 
killed. It is asserted that the puma always kills its prey by springing on the 
shoulders, and then drawing back the head with one of its paws until the vertebras 
break. I have seen, in Patagonia, the -sss^-. y. . ^-" 

skeletons of Guanacos, with their necks 
thus dislocated. 

"The Puma, after eating its fill, cov- 
ers the carcass with many large bushes, 
and lies down to watch it. This habit 
is often the cause of its being discovered; 
for the condors, wheeling in the air, 
every now and then descend to partake 
of the feast; and being angrily driven 
away, rise all together on the wing. 
The Chileno Guaso then knows there is 
a lion (puma) watching his prey ; the 
word is given, and men and dogs hurry 
to the chase. Sir F. Head says that a Gaucho in the Pampas, upon merely 
seeing some condors wheeling in the air, cried, 'A lion! ' I could never myself 
meet with any one who pretended to such powers of discrimination. It is 
asserted that if a puma has once been betrayed by thus watching a carcass, and 
has then been hunted, it never resumes this habit, but that having gorged itself, it 
wanders far away. The puma is easily killed. In an open country it is first 
entangled with the bolas, then lazoed, and dragged along the ground till rendered 
insensible. At Tandul (south of the Plata), I was told that within three months 
one hundred were thus destroyed. In Chili they are generally driven up bushes 
or trees, and are then either shot or baited to death by dogs. The dogs employed 
in this chase belong to a particular breed, called ' Leoneros.' They are weak, 
slight animals, like long-legged terriers, but are born with a peculiar instinct for 
this sport. The puma is described as being very crafty. When pursued it often 
returns on its former track, and then suddenly making a spring on one side, waits 
there till the dogs have passed by. It is a very silent animal, uttering no cry 




THE OUXCK. 



232 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 

even when wounded, and only rarely during the breeding season." In captivity 
the puma, at any rate when caught young, is a tolerably docile animal, and, like 
the domestic cat, is fond of playing with inanimate objects. Thev do not, how- 
ever, appear to be always perfectly amiable ; the female may often be seen swear- 
ing at her lord in a most reprehensible manner. 

THE OUNCE. The Ounce, or "Snow Leopard," as it is commonly called 
by sportsmen in the hills, is found throughout the Himalayas at a great elevation, 
never very much below the snows, at ranges varying with the season from 9,000 
to 18,000 feet. It is said to be more common on the Tibetan side of the Himalayas; 
it is found also throughout the highland region of Central Asia, and extends as 
far west as Smyrna. 

It is about the same size as the leopard (four feet four inches long, including 
the tail), which it also resembles in habits; in fact, it may be looked upon as a 
leopard specially adapted for a cold climate. The ground color of the skin is pale 
yellowish grey, turning beneath to dingy yellowish-white. It is spotted in much 
the same way as the leopard, though not so distinctly. "The fur throughout is 
very dense, and it has a well-marked, though short mane. The face is short and 
broad, and the forehead much more elevated than in any other cat." 

The ounce is said to frequent rocky ground, and to kill the wild sheep as well 
as domestic sheep, goats and dogs; but it has never been known to attack a man. 

THE CLOUDED TICER. This animal, which is about intermediate in size 
between the great cats, such as the lion, tiger, or leopard, and the lesser kinds, 
such as the Ocelot, Eyra, or Tiger-Cats, is, as far as the markings of the skin are 
concerned, one of the most beautiful animals in the whole family. The ground- 
color of the skin is not so fine as that of the tiger, being a light buff instead of a 
rich orange-tawny, but the large, irregular, cloud-like patches of black are far 
more exquisite than the parallel bands of the tiger; and indeed, the only animal 
which in any way approaches it in the beauty of its markings is the Ocelot, and 
from this the Clouded Tiger certainly bears the palm. Its form is not particularly 
graceful, as its legs are short in comparison with the length of its body, and its 
snout, though longer than that of most cats, is blunt and somewhat awkward. 
One of the chief beauties of this creature, however, is its magnificent tail, which 
is fully four-fifths the length of the body (the latter being some forty inches long), 
and handsomely ringed with black. The skull is much elongated, especially its 
facial portion, and bears a strong resemblance to that of the extinct Felts smilodon. 
The pupil is oblong and erect, not round, as in all the preceding species. 

The Clouded Tiger, or Riman Dalian, is found in Siam, Assam, Borneo, Java, 
Sumatra, and the Malayan Peninsula. It was first introduced into England by Sir 
Stamford Raffles, who brought two specimens, of which he gives the following 
interesting; account: 



THE CLOUDED TIGER. 



233 



" Both specimens above mentioned, while in a state of confinement, were 
remarkable for good temper and playfulness; no domestic kitten could be more so. 
They were always courting intercourse with persons passing by, and in the expres- 
sion of their countenance, which was always open and smiling, showed the great- 
est delight when noticed, throwing themselves on their backs, and delighting in 
being tickled and rubbed. Onboard the ship there was a small Musi Dog, who 
used to play round the cage and with the animal, and it was amusing to observe 




THE CLOUDED TIGER. 

the playfulness and tenderness with which the latter came in contact with his 
inferior-sized companion. When fed with a fowl that had died he seized the prey, 
and after sucking the blood and tearing it a little, he amused himself for hours in 
throwing it about and jumping after it in the manner that a cat plays with a mouse 
before it is quite dead. He never seemed to look on man or children as prey, but 
as companions, and the natives assert that when wild they live principally on poul- 
try, birds, and the smaller kind of deer. They are not found in numbers, and may 
be considered rather a rare animal, even in the southern part of Sumatra. Both 
specimens were procured from the interior of Bencoolen, on the banks of the Ben- 



234 



THE LAND CARN1V0RA. 



coolen River. They are generally found in the vicinity of villages, and are not 
dreaded by the natives, except as far as they may destroy their poultry. The 
natives assert that they sleep and often lay wait for their prey on trees ; and from 
this circumstance they derive the name of Dalian, which signifies the fork formed 
by the branch of a tree, across which they are said to rest, and occasionally stretch 
themselves. 

" Both specimens constantly amused themselves in frequently jumping and 




the ocelot. [About one-sixth natural 



clinging to the top of their cage, and throwing a somersault, or twisting themselves 
round in the manner of a squirrel when confined, the tail being extended and show- 
ing to great advantage when so expanded." 



THE OCELOT. This extremely beautiful cat is, like the Jaguar and the 
Ounce, an American animal, where it is found throughout the central part of the 
continent, from Mexico and Texas on the north, to the northern boundaries of 
Brazil on the south. Its musical name was coined by Buff on as an abbreviation 
of its native Mexican appellation, Tlalocelotl. 



THE OCELOT— THE MARBLED TLGER-CAT. 



L!35 



The grey or tawny skin is marked by broad lv sweeping rows of longitudinally 
elongated spots of large size, each consisting of a black rim inclosing an area 
somewhat darker than the general ground tint. The head is also beautifully 
striped, and the tail ringed with black. Altogether, the ocelot is, in the matter of 
markings, second only to the Clouded Tiger. It is about four feet long from the 
snout to the tip of the tail, and its legs are rather short for its size. 

" It is a very voracious animal, but at the same time timid. It rarely atiacks 
men. It is afraid of dog--, and when pursued it makes off to the woods and climbs 




THE MARBLED TIGER CAT 



venth natural size.) 



a tree. There it remains, and even takes up its abode to sleep and look out for 
game and cattle, upon which it darts as soon as they are within range. It prefers 
the blood to the flesh, and, in consequence, destroys a vast number of animals, for 
instead of devouring them it only quenches its thirst by sucking their blood." 

Notwithstanding its cowardice, the ocelot is a very savage animal. Buffon 
mentions a pair of young ones in captivity, which, at the age of three months, 
were sufficiently strong and cruel to kill and devour a female dog which had been 
given them as a nurse. He further adds the curious fact, that the male always 



236 



THE LAND CARNIVORA. 



kept the female in wonderful subjection, so much so that she was afraid even to 
attempt to eat until he was completely satisfied. 

THE MARBLED TIGER-CAT. " This prettily-marked wildcat has been 
found in the Sikkim Himalayas, in the hilly regions of Assam, Burmah, and 
Malayana, extending into the islands of Java, at all events." The head and body 
together are from eighteen and a half to twenty-three inches long, the tail four- 
teen to fifteen and a half inches. J he ground-color of its hide is of a dingy 




the jaguarondt. (One-seventh natural size.) 



tawny, "occasionally yellowish-grey, the body with numerous elongated wavy 
black spots, somewhat clouded or marbled." The tail is spotted and tipped with 
black, and the belly is yellowish-white. 



THE JACUARONDI. This is a curious long-bodied, short-legged animal, 
with a body almost as lithe and lissom as a weasel's. Like the puma, its head is 
small and well-shaped, and its tail long ; but it is a much smaller animal, not exceed- 
ing three feet in length, including the tail. Its color is a dark grey-brown, "each 
hair being greyish-black, very dark at the root, and entirely black between the root 



THE J A G UARON'DI— THE E YRA. 



and the point, which is of a dark grey hue. This diversity of color causes the 
Jaguarondi to appear darker or lighter, according to circumstances," that is, 
according to whether, being in a placid condition, his hair is lying smooth and flat 
on the body, or whether, being excited, he erects it. 

The Jaguarondi lives in the thick forests of Brazil, Paraguay and Guiana, 
where it always prefers the most impenetrable thickets, and is aever seen in the 
open country. It lives upon birds and small mammals, having a special fondness 




the eyra. [About one-sixth 



for fowls, which no amount of training will ever diminish. Even when a domes- 
ticated Jaguarondi is chained up in a yard, it will "try a thousand shifts" to entice 
the fowls into its neighborhood, and will then suddenly leap on and devour them. 

THE EYRA. This is by far the most beautiful of all the smaller one-colored 
cats. The beauty of its rich chestnut hide, and the extreme elegance of its form, 
quite incline one to assign to it the palm for beauty, even in presence of such 
splendidly-marked forms as the ocelot. It is a most delightful animal, and is 



233 



THE LAND CARNIVORA. 



slightly smaller than an ordinary cat, and much less in height, owing to the short- 
ness of its legs, in comparison with which the body is of great length ; so that one 
at first sight instinctively compares it with a weasel, to which, however, it has 
really no relationship whatever. Its neck is long, its head small, and curiously 
flattened from above downward, almost like an otter's, and its tail long and well 
shaped. Its movements are almost snake like, so continuously does it twist and 
turn its long, lithe body. In its sanguinary habits and mode of life it does not 

differ in any important respect 
from the Jaguarondi, with 
which it also agrees in its geo- 
graphical distribution. It is, 
however, a much rarer animal. 
Mr. Bartlett states that he 
has kept the Eyra in his house, 
and that it made a most 
charming pet. Brehm also 
mentions two domesticated 
individuals which were on 
very good terms with the cats 
and dogs in the house, and 
were particularly friendly 
with a monkey, who did them 
the kind office of catching 
their fleas. 

THE SERVAL. The 

Serval, or African tiger-cat, is 
found over the greater part of 
Africa, being specially abund- 
ant in the south, but extending 
also as far north as Algeria. 
It especially frequents the extensive grassy plains or steppes where it lives upon 
antelope and other game. 

Its legs are proportionally much longer and the tail much shorter than those 
of most of the true cats, in which respect it approaches the lynxes. It is distin- 
guished from these, however, by the absence of hair on the ears. The body is 
about forty inches in length, the tail about sixteen inches. This, it will be seen, 
by a comparison with the dimensions given of the preceding kinds, shows a much 
smaller proportion between the tail and the body than in most of the true cats, but 
the appendage is never as short as in a lynx. The ground color of the skin is 
tawny, lighter or darker according to circumstances, and spotted wilh black. 
The spots on the flank are all elongated longitudinally, and along the back, run 




THE SERVAL. 



THE BA Y CA T. 



239 



into distinct bands which are continued on to the forehead. This running together 
of spots into longitudinal stripes is very common in the cat tribe. The tail is regu- 
arly ringed with black. The fur, although coarse, is decidedly handsome, and is 
a good deal used. 

THE BAY CAT. This animal is found on the Gold Coast of Africa, as well 
as in Nepaul, Sumatra, and Borneo. It is of a deep bay-red color above, becoming 
paler below ; there are a few indistinct dark spots on the hind legs, and the head is 




the bay cat. {About onc-sixtli natural size.) 

splendidly ornamented with stripes of black, white, and orange, offering a striking, 
contrast to the uniform tint of the body, and reminding one strongly of the tiger. 
The head and body measure about thirty-one inches, the tail nineteen inches. 

Unfortunately nothing is known of the habits of this cat, so that we can only 
assume that it has the same savage nature and untamable disposition as the mem- 
bers of its family most nearly allied to it. 



THE EUROPEAN WILD-CAT has for a long time been regarded as the 
original form of our household pussy, and this view has still some defenders. But 



240 



THE LAND CARNIVORA. 



some very striking- differences, not to be explained try domestication, exist; one 
very apparent one is the different shape of the tail. In the domestic cat this 
appendage is long, slender and tapering ; in the wild-cat it is shorter, truncated at 
the end, and bushy. The wild-cat is one-third larger and much stronger than the 
domestic cat. The hair is stronger, the whiskers more ample, and the teeth 
stouter and sharper. The color of the creature is pretty uniform, the ground tint 
of the fur being yellowish or sandy-grey, marked with streaks like the tiger at 
right angles to the spine. A dark row of spots runs along the back ; the tail has 
numerous black rings and a black tip. 

At night the wild-cat sallies out on his foray, and anyone who has observed the 
sly, stealthy, silent way in which the common cat hunts birds, can form a good 
notion of its actions, and judge how it climbs into the nests of the birds, pounces 
on the hare on its form or the rabbit sporting near its burrow. But it attacks even 

young fawns, and kills them, leaping 
on their back and biting the veins of 
the neck ; while it is most destructive 
to dovecotes and hen-roosts, where it 
kills many more than it can eat. 
When driven to extremity or wounded 
the wild-cat is a dangerous foe for 
dog or man. A German forester 
tracked one into a hollow tree, and 
struck the trunk to start it out again. 
While he was hammering away the 
cat appeared ; before he could raise 
his gun it was on his back, tore off his 
thick leathern cap with its claws, and 
bit through his neckerchief. His cries brought his son to his assistance, but the 
cat held on to its victim till its head was broken in. In spite of every care the 
forester died in great agony. An English sportsman who attacked a wild cat in 
Scotland, writes: "As soon as I was within six or seven feet of the place, she 
sprang straight at my face, over the dogs' heads. Had 1 not struck her in mid-air 
as she leaped at me, I should probably have got some severe wound. As it was, 
she fell with her back half broken among the dogs, who, with my assistance, dis- 
patched her." 

THE DOMESTIC CAT. This animal is, next to the dog, the flesh-eater 
which possesses for us the greatest personal interest, as it is, with the exception of 
the dog, almost the only quadruped regularly admitted into the society of man, 
eating from his hand, drinking from his cup, and being to him, if not a firm friend, 
like its canine relative, at least a comfortable, contented companion, adding greatly 
by its look of calm repose and its contented purr to the cosiness of the fireside. 




WILD CAT 



WILD CAT— DOMESTIC CAT. 



241 



The origin of the domestic cat is so far distant that it is quite uncertain from 
what wild species it was derived. Wherever the cat is found as a domesticated 
animal it is held in great esteem. This feeling was carried to its greatest extent by 
the ancient Egyptians, whose devotion to their pets was such, that, according to 
Herodotus, when a fire broke out, they cared for nothing but the safety of their 




cats, and were terribly afflicted if one of them fell a victim to the flames. On the 
death of a cat, the inhabitants of the house shaved off their eyebrows, and the 
deceased animal was embalmed, and buried with great solemnity in a sacred spot. 
Many cat mummies have been found in the Egyptian tombs, and some are to be 
seen in the British Museum, together with similarly preserved specimens of human 
beings, and of sacred calves. Some individuals were wrapped separately in ample 
16 



242 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 



bandages covered with inscriptions ; others of a less degree of sanctity were pre- 
served in numbers with a single wrapping for several. Their movements and their 
cries were consulted as oracles, and the murder, or even the accidental felicide of 
one of them, was punished by death. 

With regard to the color of cats, a very curious circumstance has been 
observed, namely, that white cats with blue eyes are nearly always deaf! The 
only rational explanation ofThis remarkable phenomenon is that the absence of 
color in the skin is usually accompanied by a similar absence of pigment elsewhere, 
and it has been shown that the presence of a peculiar black pigment is very essen- 
tial to the proper action of the sense organs. To bear out this view it may be 
stated that Albinos — that is, abnormally colorless animals — are usually deficient in 
taste, smell, and sight. The eye also varies much in color, being blue, yellow, or 
green. The pupil, or small black aperture in the center of the colored portion, is 
extremely sensitive, dilating greatly in the dark, and contracting to a mere line 
when the light is strong. Every one must have noticed the instantaneous change 
in the whole demeanor of a cat when it catches sight of a strange dog. This and 
other characteristic attitudes are well described by Mr. Darwin. 

" When this animal is threatened by a dog it arches its back in a surprising 
manner, erects its hair, opens its mouth and spits." This well-known attitude " is 
expressive of terror combined with anger. Anger alone is not often seen, but may 
be observed when two cats are fighting together ; and I have seen it well exhibited 
by a savage cat while plagued by a boy. The attitude is almost exactly the same 
as that of a tiger disturbed, and growling over its food, which everyone must have 
beheld in menageries. The animal assumes a crouching position, with the body 
extended ; and the whole tail, or the tip alone, is lashed or curled from side to 
side. The hair is not in the least erect. Thus far, the attitude and movements are 
nearly the same as when the animal is prepared to spring on its prey, and when, 
no doubt, it feels savage. But when preparing to fight, there is this difference, 
that the ears are closely pressed backward ; the mouth is partially opened, show- 
ing the teeth ; the fore feet are occasionally struck out with protruded claws, and 
the animal occasionally utters a fierce growl. Let us now look at a cat in a directly 
opposite frame of mind, while feeling affectionate and caressing her master, and 
mark how opposite is her attitude in every respect. She now stands upright 
with her back slightly arched, which makes the hair appear rather rough, but it 
does not bristle. Her tail, instead of being extended and lashed from side to side, 
is held quite stiff and perpendicularly upward ; her ears are erect and pointed; her 
mouth is closed, and she rubs against her master with a purr instead of a growl. 
Let it further be observed how widely different is the whole bearing of an affec- 
tionate cat from that of a dog, when with his body crouching and flexuous, his tail 
lowered and wagging, and ears depressed, he caresses his master. 

" We can understand why the attitude assumed by a cat when preparing to 
fight with another cat, or in any way greatly irritated, is so widely different from 







CRUEL PUSSY. 

243 



244 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 



that of a dog approaching another with hostile intentions; for the cat uses her 
fore feet for striking, and this renders a crouching position convenient or neces- 
sary. She is also much more accustomed than a dog to lie concealed and suddenly 
spring on her prey. No cause can be assigned with certainty for the tail being 
lashed or curled from side to side. This habit is common to many other animals, 
for instance, to the puma, when prepared to spring ; but it is not common to dogs 
or to foxes." 

Under ordinary circumstances, when neither attacking a foe nor caressing a 
friend, the cat is the very image of lazy content. As she sits by the fire, softly 
purring, and occasionally licking her paws and rubbing them over her face, she 
seems an embodiment of repose. But notwithstanding its usual indolence, the cat, 
like all its congeners, is capable of very violent action upon occasions. This is 
especially the case with kittens, who are perhaps, the most delightful of all young 
animals; the most elegant, the most active, the most restless, the most overboiling 
with life and spirits. Who has not watched a kitten play ? No matter what its 
toy may be ; it is content with anything movable — a ball, a piece of string, a ladv's 
dress, the fallen leaves in the garden — anything and everything she will play with, 
and as she plays, "grace is in all her steps," every movement of her head, every 
pat of her velvet paw, every whisk of her little tail, is elegance itself. Even in 
the old cat this wonderful power of executing the most rapid movements with 
almost the quickness of thought is rather in abeyance than actually absent ; she 
can still run, leap to many times her own height, climb a tree or a vertical wall by 
means of her sharp claws, and perform other marvelous gymnastic feats impossi- 
ble to anything else but a squirrel or a monkey. 

The sense which of all others is most deficient in the cat is that of smell. In 
this she differs most markedly from the dog. It is said that a piece of meat may be 
placed in close proximity to a cat, but that, if it is kept covered up, she will fail to 
distinguish it. This want is, however, partly compensated for by an extremely 
delicate sense of touch, which is possessed, to a remarkable extent, by the whiskers,, 
or vibrissas, as well as by the general surface of the skin. These bristles, as we 
have alreadv mentioned in speaking of the tiger, are possessed to a greater or less- 
extent by all cats, and are simply greatly developed hairs, having enormously 
swollen roots, covered with a layer of muscular fibers, with which delicate nerves 
are connected. By means of these latter, the slightest touch on the extremity of 
the whiskers is instantly transmitted to the brain. These organs are of the greatest 
possible value to the cat in its nocturnal campaigns. When it is deprived of the 
guidance afforded by light it makes its way by the sense of touch, the fine whiskers 
touching against every object the cat passes, and thus acting in precisely the same 
manner as a blind man's stick, though with infinitely greater sensibility. Imagine 
a blind man with not one stick, but a couple of dozen, of exquisite fineness, and 
these not held in the hand, but embedded in his skin, so that his nerves come into 
direct contact with them instead of having a layer of skin between, and some 



THE DOMESTIC CAT. 



notion may be formed of the way in which a cat uses its whiskers. But 
the cat in its night walks has a further advantage over the blind man, 
namely, that except on the very darkest nights, it is not entirely deprived of the 
power of sight, for the pupil is so constructed that in the dark it can be dilated, 




THE FOSTER MOTHER. 



so as to catch every available ray of light, and, moreover, the tapetum, or brilliant 
lining of the eyeball, reflects and magnifies the straggling beams, and so enables 
the cat, if not actually to "see in the dark," at least to distinguish objects in an 
amount of light so small as to be inappreciable to our duller vision. 



246 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 

Like most of the Carnivora, the cat is a tender and affectionate mother; the 
care with which she trains her young ones, her anxiety for their comfort, her 
industry in washing- them, are too well known to require remark. So fond is she 
of her offspring- that she will entirely alter usual habits to regain lost ones. Mr. 
Hugh Miller tells us of a cat whose kittens were taken from her and given to a 
miller living at a distance of fully two miles, quite beyond the usual walk of a 
home-loving puss. The mother, however, although she had never been to the 
place before, and could by no possibility have known where her kittens were taken, 
made two successive journeys to the mill, each time bringing back in triumph to 
the rectory one of her dear ones. 

So strong is the maternal instinct in the cat that she will, if deprived of her 
own offspring, bestow her affections on animals of a totally different species, or 
creatures even, which, under ordinary circumstances, she would look upon as her 
natural and lawful prey. The following is a remarkable instance of this over- 
powering mother-love: 

" My friend had a little helpless Leveret brought to him, which the servants 
fed with milk in a spoon, and about the same time his cat had kittens, which were 
dispatched and buried. The hare was soon lost, and was supposed to be gone the 
way of most foundlings, to be killed by some dog or cat. However, in about a 
fortnight, as the master was sitting in his garden in the dusk of evening, he 
observed his cat, with tail erect, trotting toward him, and calling, with little short, 
inward notes of complacency, such as they use toward their kittens, and something 
gamboling after, which proved to be the Leveret that the cat had supported with 
her milk, and continued to support with great affection." 

Why so cruel and sanguinary a beast as a cat should be affected with any ten- 
derness toward an animal which is its natural prey, is not so easy to determine. 
This incident is no bad solution of that strange circumstance which grave his- 
torians, as well as the poets, assert of exposed children being sometimes nurtured 
by wild beasts that probably had lost their young. For it is not one whit more 
marvelous that Romulus and Remus, in their infant state, should be nursed by a 
she-wolf, than that a poor little suckling Leveret should be fostered and cherished 
by a bloody Grimalkin. 

White, in his " Observations," has another similar anecdote : "A boy has 
taken three little young squirrels in their nest, or eyry, as it is called in these parts. 
These small creatures he put under the care of a cat who had lately lost her 
kittens, and finds that she nurses and suckles them with the same assiduity and 
affection as if they were her own offspring. This circumstance corroborates my 
suspicion that the mention of exposed and deserted children being nurtured by 
female beasts of prey who had lost their young, may not be so improbable an inci- 
dent as many have supposed; and, therefore, may be a justification of those 
authors who have gravely mentioned what some have deemed to be a wild and 
improbable story. So many people went to see the little squirrels suckled by a 



THE DOMESTIC CA T. 



247 



cat, that the foster-mother became jealous of her charge, and in pain for their 
safety, and therefore hid them over the ceiling, where one died. This circum- 
stance shows her affection for these foundlings, and that she supposed the squirrels 
to be her own young." A similar story is told of a cat that nursed and cared for 
two young rabbits given to her charge. 

Equally remarkable as an instance of the transference of maternal affection is 
the tale of the cat whose kittens were replaced by two out of the five pups belong- 
ing to a spaniel. The cat brought up her foster children so well, that they were 
able to run about long before the three left under the charge of their own natural 
mother. Before long they were removed, 
and the cat was inconsolable, until, one 
day, coming across the spaniel and her 
pups, she concluded that the latter were 
her own lost darlings, and in her eagerness 
to get them engaged in two successive 
fights with the spaniel, in each of which 
she was victorious, and after each of which 
she carried away a pup to her own prem- 
ises, thus getting again, as she thought, her 
own two children, and the spaniel being 
obliged to content herself with one. 

This last anecdote is also remarkable 
because of the wonderful instinctive antip- 
athy existing between dogs and cats, an 
antipathy which is one of the most curious 
instances of inherited instinct, for a young 
kitten, who has never seen a dog in its life 
will, on being approached by one, put up 
its back, and swear and spit with all the 
force of feline Billingsgate. It is only 
after living in the same house with a dog 
for some time that a cat will become reconciled to him, but when she once gets to 
tolerate his presence, the two often become very good friends. 

Instances are not wanting in which cats have formed friendships with birds — 
creatures which, as a rule, they look upon as their natural prey. One example of 
an affection of this sort is extremely curious. A cat and a canary had acquired a 
great fondness for one another. The canary used to perch on the cat's back and 
play all sorts of pranks with it. One day their master saw, with horror, the feline 
Damon rush upon his passerine Pythias and seize it in his mouth. He naturally 
thought that at last nature had triumphed over grace, but on looking round saw 
that another cat had entered the room, to whose tender mercies the bird-lover 
would bv no means trust his little friend. 




ANGORA CAT. 



248 



THE LAND CARNIVORA. 



The domestic cat is found wherever civilized man exists. The best-marked 
variety of the species is the beautiful Angora Cat, which is larger than the 
ordinary cat, and covered with long fine hair, usually snow-white. The Manx Cat, 
native only in the Isle of Man, is distinguished by the very remarkable character 
of being tailless, or, at least, that appendage is quite rudimentary. In other 
respects it does not differ from the ordinary varieties. The Persian Cat is a very 
fine variety often seen in English drawing-rooms ; its hair is long, though nothing 
like so long as that of the Angora. It is a remarkably lazy beast, and far less 
interesting than the ordinary kind. 

Except as fur-bearing animals, cats are made no direct use of, save as mouse 
and rat-catchers. In this capacity they are quite invaluable, for the destructive 
little rodents increase and multiply to such an extent, that if it was not for some 
such check as that afforded by the presence of a good mouser, many places would 

be much overrun, and the inhabitants 
put to much inconvenience. 

THE COMMON EUROPEAN 
LYNX is found chiefly in Norway, 
Sweden, Russia, and Northern Asia, 
and in the mountainous districts of 
Central Europe. In other parts of 
the Continent it is nearly or quite 
extinct. 

The animal attains a much greater 
size than any of the ordinary wild 
cats, being as much as forty or fifty 
inches long, from the tip of its snout to the root of its tail. It is also readily dis- 
tinguished from the cat proper from the shortness of its tail, which does not 
exceed six to nine inches, or about one-fifth the length of the body, and by the 
length of its legs, which gives it a decidedly un-cat-like look, and brings its height 
at the shoulder up to twenty-five inches. Another distinguishing feature is to be 
found in the long-pointed ears, each with a tuft of long stiff hair on its tip; and still 
another is the length of the fur on the cheeks, whereby a pair of capital whiskers 
of almost Dundreary length is produced. These, it must be understood, are quite 
distinct from the true " whiskers," or tactile vibrissas, with which the upper lip of 
the lynx, like that of all Felidae, is provided. The tufted ears and bearded cheeks, 
together with the fierce brightness of the eye, give the lynx an altogether peculiar 
and somewhat weird expression ; and a well-drawn picture of one is quite the 
thing to send a nervous child to bed comfortably predisposed to nightmare. 

When we have added that the pads of the feet are overgrown with hair, we 
have mentioned all the obvious differences between a lynx and a true cat. The 
skin is of a reddish-grey color, more or less spotted with red or dark grey; but the 




EUROPEAN LYNX. 



THE COMMON EUROPEAN LYNX. 



249 



variations in marking are very great in different individuals, and in the same indi- 
vidual at different ages. The fur, also, is longer in winter than in summer. 

The lynx is undoubtedly the most dangerous and destructive beast of prey 
now left in Europe; at any rate, a single lynx will do more damage than an indi- 
vidual of any other wild species. The Russian wolves may be, on the whole, 
worse enemies, but they hunt in packs, and are only dangerous in numbers, a single 
wolf being a sorry coward, while a lynx is a truly redoubtable antagonist, as the 
following: excellent account of his habits will show: 




the Canadian lynx. {One-seventh natural size.) 

" While he succeeds in finding food in the forests and gorges of the high 
mountains, he does not attempt to shift his quarters, but lives alone with his mate, 
and betrays his presence by horrible howlings, audible at a great distance. He 
only quits his chosen solitude at the last extremity, and mounts on a branch, where 
he crouches at full length among the foliage, which half hides without incommod- 
ing him. With eye and ear on the watch, he remains whole days motionless, with 
eyes half closed, and in a state of apparent sleep, which is only the more danger- 
ous, for then he is most completely cognizant of all that is passing round him. 



250 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 

The lynx lives by stratagem. Like all cats, he has not a particularly fine sense of 
smell, and his pace is not sufficiently rapid to allow him to pursue his prey. His 
patience, and the skill with which he creeps noiselessly, bring him close up to his 
victim. More patient than the fox, he is less cunning ; less hardy than the wolf, 
he leaps better, and can resist famine longer, He is not so strong as the bear, but 
keeps abetter look-out, and has sharper sight. His strength resides chiefly in his 
feet, jaws, and neck. He prefers to make his hunting as easy as possible, and only 
chooses his victim when food abounds. Every animal he can reach with one of 
his bounds, which rarely miss their aim, is lost and devoured ; if he misses, he 
allows the animal to escape, and returns to crouch in his post of observation, with- 
out showing his disappointment. He is not voracious, but he loves warm blood, 
and this passion makes him imprudent. * * * If he comes upon a flock of 
goats or sheep, he approaches, dragging his belly along the ground, like a snake, 
then raises himself with a bound, falls on the back of his victim, breaks its neck or 
cuts its carotid with its teeth, and kills it instantaneously. Then he licks the blood 
which flows from the wound, rips open the belly, devours the entrails, gnaws off a 
part of the head, neck, and shoulder, and leaves the rest. So bloodthirsty is his 
nature, that a single individual has been known to destroy forty sheep in a few 
weeks. Fortunately for the inhabitants, this plague is now nearly extinct in Cen- 
tral Europe." 

The lynx, when caught young, is said to be quite tameable, but the domesti- 
cated animal is liable to die of over-fatness. Its flesh is eaten in Siberia, and even 
in Switzerland, but as usual with its tribe, the skin is the part on which the great- 
est value is set. 

THE CANADIAN LYNX is the largest of the American lynxes, and some- 
times attains the length of four feet, including the tail. It is one of the most 
important fur-bearing animals of the Continent ; the hair is longer and thicker 
than in the European lynxes, the beard and ear-tufts are more developed, and each 
hair is of two colors. A brownish silver-grey is the prevailing hue, marked on the 
flanks very indistinctly with spots; in some specimens the fur takes a slight chest- 
nut tinge. The ears are edged with white. But it is probable that considerable 
changes of the coat take place according to the season of the year. 

When running at speed it presents a singular appearance, as it progresses by 
a series of bounds, with the back arched and all the feet coming to the ground 
nearly at the same time. It is a good swimmer, being able to cross the water for 
a distance of two miles or more. Powerful though it be, it is easily killed by a 
blow on the back, a slight stick being sufficient weapon wherewith to destroy the 
animal. The flesh of the Peeshoo is eaten by the natives, and is said, though 
devoid of flavor, to be agreeably tender. It is not so prolific as the generality of 
the feline tribe, as the number of its young seldom exceeds two, and it only breeds 
once in the year. The range of this animal is far south as the Great Lakes and 



THE CANADIAN LYNX— THE CARACAL. 



251 



eastward to the Rocky Mountains, but it is not uncommon in Northern New York. 
It frequents wooded regions, and in its manner of life differs in no respect from the 
other lynxes. Some authors describe it as a timid animal, easy to destroy, but 
Audubon calls it a strong, bold creature, which can take good care of its hide. 
Audubon writes: "The Canada lynx is more retired in its habits than our com- 
mon wild-cat, keeping far from the habitations of settlers. Its fine, long fur 
enables it to withstand the cold of our northern latitudes. When alarmed, it leaps 
or bounds rapidly in a straight direction, and if hard pressed, takes to the trees, 




the caracal. (One-seventh natural size.) 

which it climbs by the aid of its powerful fore legs and claws. It swims well, and 
will cross the arm of a lake two miles wide." He adds: " The stories told of the 
great cunning of this species in throwing mosses from the trees in order to entice 
the deer to feed on them, and then dropping on their backs, may be omitted as 
requiring no refutation." He evidently discredits the common belief to which we 
have referred above that this lynx "is easily destroyed by a blow on the back with 
a slender stick." 

The food of the Canada lynx consists of grouse and other birds, hares, rabbits, 
squirrels, the Arctic fox, and the lemming. It is said to pounce on the wild goose 



252 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 

at its breeding- places, and Audubon heard with skepticism an account of its hav- 
ing killed a deer, but confirms the statement that it kills young fawns. 

THE CARACAL. This is the handsomest of the lynxes, both on account 
of its elegant shape, and of its fine color, which is a uniform reddish-brown or 
light chestnut, unspotted or very sparsely spotted in the adult, but showing dis- 
tinct spots in the young. It is found in India, Persia, Arabia, and Thibet, and also 
throughout Africa. Its length varies from twenty-six to thirty inches, the tail 
measures nine or ten, and the height sixteen or eighteen inches. The ears are 
fully three inches long, " black externally, white within, with a long dark ear-tuft.'" 

Unlike the other lynxes, the Caracal is made use of as a hunting animal, being 
occasionally trained to stalk the peafowl, hares, kites, crows, cranes, etc. It is, 
however, a most savage animal in captivity. If the American Lynx, who is 
unfortunate enough to live in the same cage with him, dares to come " betwixt the 
wind and his nobility," or even if he, in the course of his peregrinations, should by 
chance get sufficiently near his companion as to be annoved with the sight of so 
vulgar a beast, he immediately arches his back, lays back his ears, uncovers his 
great canines, and swears in the most fearful manner, until the other unlucky ani- 
mal is quite cowed, and looks as meek as its feline nature will allow it, evidently 
deprecating the anger of my lord, and although not conscious of having done 
wrong, quite ready to promise faithfully never to do it again. 

THE CHEETAH is about four feet and a half long from tip of snout to root 
of tail. The latter appendage is two feet and a half in length, and the height of 
the animal at the shoulder two feet and a half to two and three-quarters. The hide 
is of a bright reddish fawn color, and covered with numerous black spots, which 
are single, and not arrayed in rosettes, as in the leopard, jaguar, ocelot, etc. The 
appearance in the face is very characteristic, owing to a black stripe which passes 
down the cheek in a sort of curve,, from the corner of the eve to the angle of the 
mouth. The tail has black spots and a black tip. The body is slender and small 
in the loins like a greyhound. 

The cheetah is a half-domesticated animal; we say half-domesticated, because, 
although it is used regularly in hunting, yet it is never properly tamed, and always 
has to be, as it were, gulled into doing its work. The following account of the 
manner in which it is used in Indian sport is given by Mr. Jerdon : 

" 'On a hunting party,' says Buchanan Hamilton, 'the cheetah is carried on a 
cart, hooded, and when the game is raised the hood is taken off. The cheetah then 
leaps down, sometimes on the opposite side to its prey, and pursues the antelope. 
If the latter is near the cart, the cheetah springs forward with a surpassing velocity, 
perhaps exceeding that which any other quadruped possesses. This great velocity 
is not unlike the sudden spring bv which the tiger seizes its prey, but it is often 
continued for three or four hundred yards. If within this distance the cheetah 



THE CHEETAH. 



253 



does not seize its prey, he stops, but apparently more from anger or disappoint- 
ment than from fatigue, for his attitude is fierce, and he has been known immedi- 
ately afterward to pursue with equal rapidity another antelope that happened to be 
passing-. If the game is at too great a distance when the cheetah's eyes are 
uncovered, he generally gallups after it, until it approaches so near that he can 
seize it by a rapid spring. This gallop is as quick as the course of a well mounted 
horseman. Sometimes, but rarely, the cheetah endeavors to approach the game 
by stealth, and goes round a hill or rock until he can come upon it by surprise. 
This account of the manner of hunting was collected from the conversation of Sir 
Arthur Wellesley, who while commanding officer at Seringapatam, kept five 
cheetahs that formerly belonged to Tippoo Sultan.' Mr. Vigne writes thus: 'The 
hunting with cheetahs has often been described, but it requires strong epithets to give 
an idea of the creature's speed. When slipped from the cart, he first walks toward 

the antelope with his tail straightened, and %, ^ 

slightly raised, the hackle on his shoulder erect, 
his head depressed, and his eyes intently fixed 
upon the poor animal, who does not yet perceive 
him. As the antelope moves, he does the same, 
first trotting, then cantering after him ; and when 
the prey starts off, the cheetah makes a rush, to 
which (at least I thought so) the speed of a race- 
horse was, for the moment, much inferior. The 
cheetahs that bound or spring upon their prey are 
not much esteemed, as they are too cunning. 
The good ones fairly run it down. When we 
consider that no English greyhound ever yet, I 
believe, fairly ran into a doe antelope, which is faster than the buck, some idea 
may be formed of the strides and velocity of an animal who usually closes with her 
immediately, but fortunately cannot draw a second breath, and consequently, 
unless he strike the animal down at once, is obliged instantly to stop and give up 
the chase. He then walks about for three or four minutes in a towering passion, 
after which he again submits to be helped on the cart. He always singles out the 
biggest buck from the herd, and holds him by the throat until he is disabled, 
keeping one paw over the horns to prevent injury to himself. The doe he seizes 
in the same manner, but is careless of the position in which he may hold her.' 
The natives assert that (in the wild state) if the ground is not very favorable for 
his approaching them without being seen, he makes a circuit to the place where he 
thinks they will pass over, and if there is not grass enough to cover him, he scrapes 
up the earth all round and lies flat until they approach so near that by a few 
bounds he can seize on his prey. 

Although capable of domestication, the cheetah is, when roused, anything but 
a pleasant animal to come across. Two colonists from the Cape of Good Hope 




THE CHEE 



254 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 

happened to meet one while they were out shooting gazelles, and unfortunately 
for themselves, pursued it. " The roughness of the road retarded the animal's 
flight, and a ball reached it. It immediately turned upon the hunter who had 
wounded it, and leaping upon him, pulled him from his horse, and a hand-to-hand 
conflict began between the two adversaries. The other hunter dismounted and 
hastened to succor his comrade, at the risk of hitting him as well as the animal 
from which he wished to deliver him. His shot was badly aimed. The noise of 
the discharge changed the aspect of the combat, for the cheetah abandoned the 
man whom he had thrown down, to fling himself with redoubled fury on the new 
assailant, who had not even time to draw his hunting-knife. The animal seized 
him by the head, and without letting go, rolled with him to the bottom of a ravine. 
It was of no avail that the first man, left alive, but horribly mutilated, dragged 
himself to the new battlefield ; the wounds of his companion were mortal, and he 
only had the melancholy satisfaction of giving the coup de grace to the animal, who 
was already exhausted by loss of blood." 

The young animal is covered with soft brown hair, without spots, a curious 
fact, quite reversing the usual order of things, for as we have seen, the young of 
the lion, puma, and other one colored cats, are distinctly spotted. The black 
mark on the cheek appears first, and then the body spots. Mr. Jerdon gives an 
interesting account of a cheetah kitten belonging to him : 

"I brought up the young one alluded to along with some greyhound pups, and 
they soon became excellent friends. Even when nearly full-grown it would play 
with the dogs (who did not over relish its bounding at them), and was always 
sportive and frolicsome. It got much attached to me, at once recognizing its name 
(Billy), and it would follow me on horseback like a dog, every now and then silting 
down for a few seconds, and then racing after me. It was very fond of being 
noticed, and used to purr just like a cat. It used to climb on any high object — 
the stump of a tree, a stack of hay — and from this elevated perch look all around 
for some moving object. As it grew up, it took first to attacking some sheep 
which I had in the compound, but I cured it of this by a few sound horse- 
whippings; then it would attack donkeys, and get well kicked by them ; and when 
not half-grown it flew one day at a full-grown tame Nylghau, and mauled its legs 
very severely before it could be called off. I had some Chikaras (Gazella Bennettii) 
caught, and let loose before it to train it. The young cheetah almost always 
caught them easily, but it wanted address to pull them down, and did not hold 
them. Occasionally, if the antelope got too far away, it would give up the chase, 
but if I then slipped a greyhound, it would at once follow the dog and join the 
chase. It was gradually getting to understand its work better, and had pulled 
down a well-grown antelope fawn, when 1 parted with him, as I was going on field 
service." 

Brehm had a cheetah called "Jack," which was so tame that his master led 
him about like a dog, and even took him into a drawing-room full of ladies, by 



THE HYENAS. 



255 



whom, after they had recovered their fright at seeing a real wild beast enter the 
room, he allowed himself to be patted and caressed. The same author states that 
a cheetah once lived at large in an English seaport, and was the greatest possible 
favorit" with the sailors and other inhabitants. 

THE HYENAS. Externally, the hyenas have something the appearance of 
extremely ugly and unattractive-looking dogs. They are somewhat larger than a 
shepherd's dog, and are covered with coarse bristly hair, short over the greater 
part of the body, but produced into a sort of mane along the ridge of the neck. 




The mode of progression is entirely digitigrade, the legs having much the same 
proportion as in an average dog, except for the fact that the hind legs are shorter 
than the forelegs, so that the body slopes from the withers to the haunches. The 
claws resemble those of the dog in that they cannot be retracted in sheaths of 
skin; here, therefore, we have a great and marked difference from all the cat 
tribe. 

The tail is bushy, the snout long, but blunt, giving the beast a snub-nosed 
appearance and a horridly vulgar expression, quite different to that of most of his 
relatives. The long-nosedness is partly, however, only a matter of external 
appearance, for the skull, although nothing like as short as a cat's, is yet very far 
irom being as long as that of a dog or a civet. 



256 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 

THE SPOTTED HYENA. This species exists over the whole of Africa 
south of the Sahara. The skin is of a yellowish-brown ground tint, irregularly 
blotched with circular black spots. On the back of the neck and on the withers 
it has a quantity of long stiff hairs, forming a kind of reversed mane. The fur is 
coarse and bristly, its character adding greatly to the animal's singularly unattrac- 
tive appearance. The height at the shoulder is about two feet six or eight inches, 
the extreme length five feet ten inches, of which length the tail takes up some six- 
teen inches. 

Like some other beasts of a similarly mean nature, the Spotted Hyena prefers 
not to do his own killing, but likes better to live as a sort of humble messmate on 
those better provided than himself with the courage requisite to good hunters. 
When he does cater for himself, instead of subsisting on the leavings of his betters, 
he always makes his attack in a cowardly way, and trusts rather to stratagem than 
to any of the higher qualities of a sportsman. Dr. Livingstone says: "In the 
evening of our second day at Serotli, a hyena appearing suddenly among the 
grass, succeeded in raising a panic among our cattle. This false mode of attack is 
the plan which this cowardly animal always adopts. His courage resembles 
closely that of a turkey-cock. He will bite if an animal is running away ; but if 
the animal stands still so does he." 

Other authors tell a similar tale, showing too, that under cover of darkness 
the hyena can be moderately plucky ; can, at any rate, muster sufficient courage to 
attack the herds in an encampment. " More than once, during dark and drizzling 
nights, they made their way into the sheep-kraal, where they committed sad havoc. 
We had several chases after them, but they managed invariably to elude us.'' 
Again, " The sheep having been placed in a pit to prevent them from straying, 
were visited during the night by a party of hyenas, which slaughtered some and 
drove the residue to the summit of a high hill, where they were found the follow- 
ing morning." 

The hyena has his misfortunes, like other beasts ; sheep are not to be had 
every day, often food is scarce, and he has to go with an empty stomach for days 
together. He may suffer, too, in other ways, besides hunger. Thus Mr. Anders- 
son relates y "Almost the first animal I saw at this place was a gigantic 'tiger- 
wolf,' or Spotted Hyena, which, to my surprise, instead of seeking safety in flight, 
remained stationary, grinning in the most ghastly manner. Having approached 
within twenty paces, I perceived, to my horror, that his fore paws and the skin 
and flesh of his front legs had been gnawed away, and that he could scarcely 
move from the spot. To shorten the sufferings of the poor beast, I seized my 
opportunity and knocked him on the head with a stone, and catching him by the 
tail, drove my hunting-knife deep into his side. But I had to repeat the operation 
more than once before I could put an end to his existence. I am at a loss to 
account for his mangled condition. It certainly could not have been from age, for 
his teeth were good. Could it be possible that, from want of food, he had become 



THE HYENAS. 257 



too weak for further exertions, and that, as a last resource, he had attacked his 
own body? Or, was he an example of that extraordinary species of cruelty said 
to be practiced by the lion upon the hyena, when the latter has the insolence to 
interfere with the monarch's prey ? * * * It is asserted by more than one 
experienced hunter, that when the hyena proves troublesome, the lion has been 
known to bite off all its feet, and thus mutilated, leave the poor animal to its 
fate." 

It may well be imagined the horrible nuisance such animals are to all South 
African travelers. They steal everything they can get at. They devoured two 
handsome flags of Mr. Andersson's which he had hoped to plant on the shores of 
Lake Nagami. But, perhaps, the greatest trouble is caused by their infernal cach- 
inations ; no noise in the forest produces so much discomfort, for though not so 
loud as the lion's roar, it is totally devoid of grandeur, and is only hideously gro- 
tesque and vile in the ears of all but hyenas, who, we suppose, are charmed by it. 
The traveler we have just mentioned was, during an illness, laughed to scorn in the 
most amazing fashion by hyenas and jackals, and their derision was too much for 
his equanimity at a time when he sorely needed sympathy and help. Flesh and 
water had become very scarce, and in his trouble he says : "One evening I des- 
perately resolved to go to the water myself in the hope of succeeding better than 
the attendants. Accordingly I ordered my servants to prepare a ' skaran,' and to 
carry me there, taking the chance of being run over or gored by elephants or 
rhinoceroses, for in my disabled state it was impossible, should any animal charge, 
to get out of its way. Seeing my helpless condition, the men remonstrated, but I 
was resolved to go, and fortune favored me. I had patiently waited till nigh morn- 
ing without seeing anything but hyenas and jackals. I believe these creatures 
knew I would not hurt them, for they approached within a very few paces, staring 
and laughing at me in the most impudent manner. I threw gravel pebbles at them, 
but this only served to increase their mockery. I could stand it no longer, but 
hurled my camp-chair at their heads, when they quickly betook themselves to 
flight." 

Livingstone had the same trouble with the fearful din. "An astonishing num- 
ber of hyenas collected round, and kept up a loud laughter for two whole nights. 
Some of them do make a very good imitation of a laugh. I asked my men what 
the hyenas were laughing at, as they usually give animals credit for a share of 
intelligence. They said that they were laughing because we could not take the 
whole, and that they would have plenty to eat as well as we." 

THE STRIPED HYENA. The striped hyena takes the place of the spotted 
kind over the northern part of Africa. It also extends into Asia, where it ranges 
over Asia Minor and Persia, and through India to the foot of the Himalayas. 
Among other places, it is "common in every part of Palestine, and indifferent as to 
the character of the country. We obtained the young occasionally in spring, and 

17 



258 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 

procured on Mount Carmel the largest pair of adults I ever saw. The old rock- 
hewn tombs afford to the hyena convenient covert. It attacks the graves even in 
the vicinity of towns." 

In ground-color it resembles the spotted kind, but instead of being marked 
with spots, its hide is covered with complete black transverse bands like the hoops 
of a barrel, which extend downward on to the legs. It is as nearly as possible of 
the same size as the brown variety. 

As to its habits and characteristics, there is but little to add to what has already 
been said of its South African brother; it follows the lion for scraps, roams about 
the Arab cemeteries to dig up and devour the dead, prowls round the towns and 
villages in Egypt and elsewhere to pick up offal, and is always the same ugly, ill- 
conditioned, repulsive, and yet useful beast. For the Arabs and Egyptians are 
never greatly inclined to sanitary reform, and without hyenas, jackals and vultures 
would be in a sad case indeed. 

As to the animal's cowardliness, every writer bears witness. Jules Gerard 
says: "The Arabs say, 'as cowardly as a hyena,' and the Arabs are right." So 
much do the sons of the desert despise their scavenger, that when Gerard killed 
one with his saber, they implored him never again to use the defiled weapon, saying 
that it would certainly betray him after having been sheathed in such a dastardly 
carcass. It is stated that the dog is the only animal the hyena dares attack, and 
even this game they like some help in killing. " When they feel inclined to eat a 
dog, they hang about some douar, in the neighborhood of which there happens to 
be a good cover. The female stations herself behind some brushwood, and the 
male goes toward the dogs, who attack him, and follow him as far as the position 
of his consort. The female comes out at the fitting moment to attack, throttle, and 
devour on the spot the dog who ventures farthest in pursuit of her husband." 

Although the hyena is generally considered unworthy of being hunted, yet 
the Arabs occasionally condescend to come to the rescue of their dogs, by beating 
their destroyers to death. 

THE AARD-WOLF is a remarkable animal inhabiting the southern parts 
of Africa, where its range is almost co-extensive with that of the brown variety of 
the hyena. It is an extremely interesting animal, as it forms a connecting link 
between the Civet family and the hyenas ; although more nearly allied to the latter 
than to the former, it is found to be impossible to assign it to one of these groups 
in preference to the other, and it is, in consequence, placed in a family by itself. 

This rare animal was first mentioned and described by Andrew Sparmann in 
1772-6, but his account of it attracted little notice until it was re-discovered by the 
traveler Delalande, who brought specimens to France, where the beast was 
described and christened after him. 

The relationships of the aard-wolf are well shown by its external appearance. 
It has the sloping back of a hyena, owing to the forelegs being longer than the 



THE A AND- WOLF. 259 



hind legs; but its head is quite civet-like, the snout being long and pointed, and 
altogether unlike a hyena's. Its size is that of a full-grown fox, but it stands higher 
upon its legs ; its ears are considerably larger and more naked, and its tail shorter 
and not so bushy. At first sight it might easily be mistaken for a young Striped 
Hyena, so closely does it resemble that animal in the colors and peculiar markings 
of its fur, and in the mane of long stiff hair which runs along the neck and back ; 
indeed, it is only to be distinguished by its more pointed head, and by the addi- 
tional fifth toe of the fore feet. It is also quite hyena-like in color, being of a dull 
yellowish-grey tint, and marked with dark brown stripes and a black muzzle. 

In its habits and manners the aard-wolf resembles the fox. Like that animai 
it is nocturnal, and constructs a subterranean burrow, at the bottom of which it 
lies concealed during the day-time, and only ventures abroad on the approach of 
night to search for food. It is fond of the society of its own species ; at least many 
individuals have been found residing together in the same burrow; and, as they 
are of a timid and wary character, they have generally three or four entrances to 
this hole ; so that, if attacked on one side, they may secure a retreat in an opposite 
direction. Notwithstanding the disproportionate length of their fore legs, they are 
said to run very fast, and so strong is their propensity to burrow, that one of M. 
Delalande's specimens, perceiving itself about to be run down or captured, immedi. 
ately ceased its flight, and began to scratch up the ground, as if with the intention 
of making a new earth." Its food consists very largely of carrion, but it also 
devours ants. Owing to the former " high " kind of diet, the animal is generally 
possessed of an extremely bad smell. 

THE CIVET FAMILY. 

The name of this family-is given to it from the fact that the most important 
forms included in it are what are known as civets, or civet cats, animals from 
which the well known perfume of that name is obtained. 

In anatomical characters as well as in external appearance, the animals are 
related both to the cat family and to the hyenas. 

THE AFRICAN CIVET. This animal, by its rough spotted skin, calls 
to mind the hyena, to which, however, it is inferior in size, being hardly three 
feet long. It differs also from our laughing friend in many more important par- 
ticulars. Its legs are shorter, its tail longer and not so bushy, its snout more 
pointed, its ears shorter, and its expression less villainous looking. It is found in 
the north of Africa and in Eastern Asia. 

" The civet approaches, in its habits, nearest to the foxes and smaller cats, pre- 
lerring to make its predatory excursions against birds and smaller quadrupeds in 
the night, although, like other carnivora, it will occasionally attack its prey in the 
daytime. In a state of captivity it becomes in a degree tame, but never familiar, 
and is dangerous to handle. The young ones feed on farinaceous food — millet-pap, 



260 



THE LAND CARNIVORA. 



for instance — with a little flesh or fish, and when old, on raw flesh. Many of them 
are kept in North Africa, to obtain the perfume which bears the name of the ani- 
mal, and brings a high price." 



THE LESSER CIVET. The Lesser Civet, or Rasse, is found in the island of 
Java, as well as in many parts of India, such as Nepaul and Madras. " It is not 
an uncommon species in Hong-Kong and the adjacent islands. In Formosa it is 
the commonest of all the carnivorous group. Skulking during the day in the dark 
ravines that intersect the hilly country in the northwest, in the twilight it threads 
its way with great speed through the long grass, and searches the fields for small 




the lesser civet. [One-sixth natural size.) 

mammals and birds. It is much dreaded by the Chinese for the havoc it commits 
in the hen-roost ; and as its skin is somewhat valued for lining to great-coats, its 
haunts and creeps are sought after, and traps laid for it. Of these the slip-knot 
noose for the head and feet is the most commonly practiced and the most killing. 
As the cool season approaches, hawkers may be daily met with, even in the vil- 
lages, offering for sale the stretched skins of these animals. The poorer classes, 
who are unable to purchase the dearer furs, make use of these cheaper yet pretty 
skins." The Rasse is about thirty-two inches in length, its tail thirteen inches. 
The odor of musk is so strong as to taint the skin and the flesh of the entire animal. 
" The Chinese," says Mr. Swinhoe, " eat the flesh of this animal ; but a portion 
that I had cooked was so affected with the civet odor that I could not palate it." 



THE LESSER CIVET— THE MUNGOOS. 



261 



The Rasse is a much smaller animal than the preceding species, its head and 
body together being about twenty-two or twenty -three inches long, and its tail 
sixteen or seventeen. It is of a yellowish or brownish grey color, with longi- 
tudinal bands on the back, and regular rows of spots on the side. The tail has 
eight or nine complete dark rings. 



J-P7 







the btnturong. [One-seventh natural size.) 

In India it is kept tame, the natives often domesticating it for the purpose of 
more conveniently extracting the civet. 

THE MUNGOOS, OR ICHNEUMON, form a well defined genus of 
weasel-like animals. It frequents alike the open country and low jungles, being 
found in dense hedgerows, thickets, holes in banks, etc., and it is very destructive 
to such birds as frequent the ground, for it only sucks the blood, and so kills many 
birds before it is satisfied. 



262 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 

It is sixteen or seventeen inches long, its tail fourteen, and is of a tawny yel- 
lowish grey color. The head is marked with reddish and yellowish rings, so 
arranged as to produce a resultant iron-grey hue. The Mungoos proper is a 
cleanly, lively, good-tempered creature, and keeps the house of its owner free from 
rats and mice, and such creatures, as well as from those horrible nuisances in all 
tropical countries — snakes and scorpions. It is from its combats with the latter 
that it obtains its fame. The name it bears has been given it because, according to 
native reports, when it is bitten by a poisonous serpent.it digs up a very bitter root 
named the mungo-root, which it eats, and then with renewed vigor resumes its 
combat with its foe. European observers who have watched the animal when it 
leaves the field of battle, say it eats either grass or any other herb in the neighbor- 
hood. One eye-witness writes: "The snake — a Spectacled Snake — was a yard 
and a half long; the Mungus attacked it immediately, and a terrible struggle 
ensued. At the end of five minutes the snake struck the Mungus with its poison- 
fang. The animal fell, lay for some time like a dead thing, and foamed at the 
mouth ; then suddenly rose and rushed into the jungle. In twenty minutes it 
returned and renewed the attack with greater spirit than ever, and killed the 
snake within six minutes." 

THE BINTURONC. This is a curious little animal of a black color, with 
a white border to its ears, a large head and turned-up nose, and a long, immensely 
thick, tapering tail, which, remarkably enough, is prehensile, like that of a New 
World monkey. It is twenty-eight to thirty inches long from snout to root of tail, 
and the tail itself is nearly of the same length. It is sometimes called the "black 
Bear Cat." 

" It is slow and crouching. In its habits it is quite nocturnal, solitary, and 
arboreal, creeping along the large branches, and aiding itself by its prehensile tail. 
It is omnivorous, eating small animals, birds, insects, fruit, and plants. It is more 
wild and retiring than Viverrine animals in general, and it is easily tamed ; its 
howl is loud." It walks entirely on the soles of its feet, and its claws are not 
retractile. 

Altogether the Binturong is a decidedly interesting animal, and has been a 
great puzzle to zoologists. It was formerly placed in the Raccoon family, to many 
of the members of which it bears a very strong resemblance; but this resemblance 
is quite superficial, and brought about by the similarity in the mode of life, etc 
In the characters of the skull and teeth, it undoubtedly belongs where we have 
placed it, among the Civet group. Thus it forms a capital warning to those zoolo- 
gists whose knowledge is only skin-deep, and who group animals entirely by their 
external character, without taking into account the important points of fundamen- 
tal structure, which should in every case be considered first. 



CHAPTER II. 

THE DOG FAMILY. 

The dogs form a sort of connecting link between the cat-like species on the one 
hand, and the bear-like group on the other. In the matter of being digitigrade, 
they agree with the cats ; the number of their teeth agrees with that of the bears ; 
in the character of the skull, they come just half way between the two. 

THE DOMESTIC DOC. We have now to consider an animal which has 
more interest for us than any other member of the animal kingdom ; indeed, many 
people, if asked to name the creature which feels for them the most disinterested 
friendship, the most devoted love, and which shows the most constant and untiring 
kindness and attention, would without hesitation name the humble carnivore. No 
animal has been so universally or so thoroughly domesticated as the dog; in none 
have the moral and intellectual faculties been so largely developed ; and there is 
certainly none which the human race could so ill spare. We might possibly, with 
a proper amount of practice, become vegetarians, and so do without our sheep and 
cattle, our pigs and poultry. The cat we might easily dispense with, for she is, 
after all, a very passive sort of creature, and rarely condescends to express either 
emotion or affection, whatever her feelings may be ; but to lose the dog would be 
to lose a friend, and a friend so faithful and true that his loss would be a veritable 
plucking out of the right eye and a cutting off of the right hand. As Mr. Darwin 
observes : " It is scarcely possible to doubt that the love of man has become 
instinctive in the dog," which it can hardly be said to have done, as yet, in man ! 

Wherever man of any degree of civilization is found, there the dog is to be 
found too — everywhere invaluable, though often grossly and brutally ill-treated. 
In all probability, too, dogs occur as true natives in all parts of the world, except 
in the Australian region — Australia, New Zealand, and the surrounding islands; 
in these places he has, in all probability, been introduced by man. 

Among our American Indians the dog is, or was, held as an object of adora- 
tion, and dog-worship seems to have been a more ancient culte than the sun-worship 
practiced by the Mexicans. By most people the dog is valued only during his life; 
his skin is not particularly valuable, and his flesh is little esteemed. This is by no 
means, however, the case everywhere. It is well known that the Chinese use the 

263 



264 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 

dog as a regular article of food. Many of the North American tribes look upon 
an entree of dog as the greatest possible delicacy they can set before a stranger. 

Unlike the lion and tiger, the male dog takes no interest whatever in his 
offspring, who are taken care of during the weeks of their helplessness entirely 
by the mother. She, however, quite makes up for paternal neglect by the assiduity 
with which she tends and cares for her feeble offspring. It is one of the most 
touching, and at the same time, almost amusing sights to see the mother with her 
first litter; how jealously she watches the blind, fat, slug-like little creatures. At 
first she will growl and snap even at her beloved master, if he approaches too 
near her treasures. When they have grown a little, how fussy she becomes when 
they are noticed; she will even drag them by the leg, one by one, up stairs, to 
exhibit their perfections! For several weeks this care continues, but by the time 
the pups have grown half as big as their mother, and can see and run about, her 
solicitude diminishes. She begins to quarrel with them over bones and other tid- 
bits, and before long takes no more notice of them than if they were the com- 
monest stray dogs in the street. It is this evaporation of mother-love which so 
distinguishes a dog-parent from, at any rate, a great number of human parents. 

Like most animals, the female dog, if deprived of the natural objects of her 
affections, will lavish her care on almost any young and helpless thing with which 
she may be brought in contact. 

We have stated that the male dog is perfectly oblivious of his paternal duties; 
we have, however, met with one instance of a dog, who, whatever may have been 
his qualities as a parent, discharged with great fidelity the part of guardian, and 
that too, not to one of his own species, but to one of an alien and hostile race. 
This curious instance of canine affection was exhibited by a small male pet 
spaniel, belonging to some friends of ours, who brought up a kitten. The food, 
certainly, was supplied by the family, but the brooding and tendance were done 
most faithfully. On warm days, the dog would carry the kitten and lay it in the 
sun, choosing some snug place out of the wind, in the garden. The kitten, a 
female, lived to become a very beautiful cat; but her unsuspecting innocence led 
to her death. Not fearing any of the dog kind, she made no attempt to escape 
from them, and was worried to death by a strange stray dog. 

One of the most striking circumstances with regard both to the general and 
the special instincts of the dog, namely, those instincts common to the whole 
species, and those possessed by a particular breed, is the way in which they are 
transmitted from parent to child. The Pointer points the first time he is taken 
out; the Shepherd's dog learns his duties with astonishingly little teaching. Not 
only are instincts transmitted in pure breeds, but in cross-breeds the special char- 
acteristics of both parents come out with the most marvelous accuracy. " * 
* * It is known that a cross with a bull-dog has affected for many generations 
the courage and obstinacy of greyhounds; and a cross with a greyhound has given 
a whole family of shepherd-dogs a tendency to hunt hare. Le Roy describes a 




265 



266 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 

dog, whose great grandfather was a wolf, and this dog showed a trace of its wild 
parentage only in one way — by not coming in a straight line to his master when 
called." 

A very remarkable trait in the dog's character, which has undoubtedly become 
instinctive, and is consequently transmitted from generation to generation, is his 
love of human society. A well-cared for dog will always prefer his master's com- 
pany to that of his own kind, and will take any amount of trouble, and give up 
any amount of personal ease, that he may not be parted from him. 

But, undoubtedly, the most wonderful canine instinct is the sense of direction, 
the power possessed by so many dogs of finding their way back to an old and 
well-loved home, after being forcibly removed from it to a new place of abode. 
Instances are numerous in which dogs, taken from their usual habitation, shut up 
in a basket, or by night, or in a swift railway train, have unerringly found their 
way back, greatly to the surprise of both their new and their old masters. 

We are indebted to Mr. Hugh Miller for a good instance of reasoning power 
in a dog belonging to his brother, Captain Miller. This dog, "Tara" by name, 
a greyhound, with a dash of pointer, was one day taken out with a carriage for a 
run of forty miles. Now, it is estimated that a dog, by his uncontrollable habit 
of " meandering," usually goes over about three times the ground of a horse or 
man he accompanies, so that on this occasion Tara must have run over a hundred 
miles, and was in consequence rather done up when she reached home. She 
usually slept in the dining-room, whence she was always ejected at 7 A. M. by the 
housemaid who cleaned the room. On this occasion, however, no amount of per- 
suasion could induce Tara to occupy her accustomed sleeping-place ; she posi- 
tively insisted upon following her master upstairs to his bedroom, where she evi- 
dently expected she could remain undisturbed for a good long rest, and where she 
did actually remain till 2 p. M. on the following day. 

Another and more striking instance of the exercise of reasoning power is 
given in the Quarterly Journal of Science for April, 1876. It is there stated that a 
Newfoundland dog was "sent across a stream to fetch a couple of hats, while his 
master and friend had gone on some distance. The dog went after them, and the 
gentlemen saw him attempt to carry both hats, and fail, for the two were too much 
for him. Presently he paused in his endeavor, took a careful survey of the hats, 
discovered that one was larger than the other, put the small one in the larger, and 
took the latter in his teeth by the brim !" 

In the face of facts such as these, the question as to whether dogs possess the 
power of reasoning becomes merely one of words. No one would say that a 
human being who did as this dog did acted from blind instinct. One can easily 
call to mind several persons of one's acquaintance, to whom it would be the height 
of presumption to deny the possession of reason, and who yet would never have 
thought of putting the hats one inside the other. It is related that the great 
Newton made, in his study door, a big hole for his cat and a little one for the 



THE DOMESTIC DOG. 267 



kitten. In doing this he showed far less exercise of reason than the dog ; and it 
is quite conceivable that if he had been sent to fetch the hats he would have 
brought them over separately ! 

One of the most interesting points in the dog's character, and one in which 
many of his human masters would do well to imitate him, is his teachableness. A 
good dog may be taught almost anything, no matter how difficult or distasteful, 
or how foreign to his nature. And not only will he learn to do anything, but to 
understand anything, for there can be no doubt whatever that dogs actuallv do 
understand what is said to them, in many cases, quite irrespectively of tone or 
gesture. Of course with an ordinary dog who has received no special and sys- 
tematic training, it is the tone of his master's voice or his gestures which convey 
meanings to him, far more than the actual wordb ; but with many dogs, whose 
intelligence is great, and whose education has been thorough, this acme of culture 
is attained, and the animal does, undoubtedly, understand the actual words said to 
him. After finding that the dog can understand what is said to him, one is always 
tempted to wish he could go one step further, and answer again, for to hear from 
a dog's own lips his opinion on "men and things" would be an entertainment of 
no small interest. Attempts have been made to teach dogs to speak, but as one 
might imagine, with very partial success. A curious account of an attempt of 
this kind was communicated by the great philosopher Leibnitz to the French 
Academy. 

" A little boy^, a peasant's son, imagined that he perceived in the dog's voice 
an indistinct resemblance to certain words, and therefore took it into his head to 
teach him to speak. For this purpose he spared neither time nor pains with his 
pupil, who was about three years old when his learned education commenced, and 
in process of time he was able to articulate no fewer than thirty distinct words. 
He was, however, somewhat of a truant, and did not very willingly exert his 
talent, and was rather pressed than otherwise in the service of literature. It was 
necessary' that the words should be pronounced to him each time, and then he 
repeated them after his preceptor. Leibnitz attests that he heard the animal talk 
in this way, and the French Academicians add, that unless thev had received the 
testimony of so celebrated a person they would scarcely have dared to report the 
circumstance. It took place in Mesnia, in Saxony." 

But " actions speak louder than words," and although the dog is not gifted 
with the power of articulate speech, he is yet capable of expressing his feelings 
by look and gesture as eloquently as most people. It is altogether wonderful to 
see how a dog's whole expression and demeanor are changed by a word or look, 
either of praise or blame. The eye, the mouth, the ear, the tail, the whole trunk, 
all are called into requisition, and together speak a language which is unmis- 
takable. Mr. Darwin gives a most interesting account of the mode of expression of 
two opposite states of mind in the dog; an account which, like everything written 
by the same author, leaves nothing to be desired for clearness and accuracy. 



268 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 

"When a dog approaches a strange dog or man in a savage or hostile frame of 
mind, he walks upright and very stiffly ; his head is slightly raised, or not much 
lowered, the tail is held erect and quite rigid; the hairs bristle, especially along 
the neck and back; the pricked ears are directed forward, and the eyes have a 
fixed stare. These actions follow from the dog's intention to attack his enemy, and 
are thus to a large extent intelligible. As he prepares to spring, with a savage 
growl, on his enemy, the canine teeth are uncovered, and the ears are pressed 
close backward on the head. Let us now suppose that the dog suddenly dis- 
covers that the man whom he is approaching is not a stranger, but his master; 
and let it be observed how completely and instantaneously his whole bearing is 
reversed. Instead of walking upright, the body sinks downward, or even 
crouches, and is thrown into flexous movements; his tail, instead of being held 
stiff and upright, is lowered and wagged from side to side; his hair instantly 
becomes smooth , his ears are depressed and drawn backward, but not closely to 
the head, and his lips hang loosely. From the drawing back of the ears the eye- 
lids become elongated, and the eyes no longer appear round and staring." 

There can be no doubt that dogs are perfectly capable of communicating their 
thoughts to one another, and of understanding one another's meaning as well as 
that of their master's. One often sees two dogs, after a friendly sniff, carry on a 
small conversation, before trotting on their ways, evidently quite fond of a little 
chat. 

The method of hunting in pacRS adopted by wild dogs is an undoubted proof 
of the faculty of combining together for a definite end, a number of animals 
agreeing to hunt a quarry, which one alone would be powerless against. But 
there are many instances of civilized dogs concocting plans in the cleverest way, 
and carrying them out with a care and circumspection perfectly wonderful in a 
"dumb animal." For instance, Mr. Romanes says: "A small Skye and a large 
Mongrel were in the habit of hunting hares and rabbits upon their own account, 
the small dog having a good nose, and the large one great fleetness. These qual- 
ities they combined in the most advantageous manner, the terrier driving the game 
from the cover toward his fleet-footed companion, which was waiting for it out- 
side." The same gentleman gives another and still more curious instance: 

" A friend of mine in this neighborhood had a small terrier and a large New- 
foundland. One day a shepherd called upon him to say that his dogs had been 
seen worrying sheep the night before. The gentleman said there must be some 
mistake, as the Newfoundland had not been unchained. A few days afterward 
the shepherd again called with the same complaint, vehemently asserting that he 
was positive as to the identity of the dogs. Consequently, the owner set one watch 
upon the kennel, and another outside the sheep inclosure, directing them (in con- 
sequence of what the shepherd had told him) not to interfere with the actions of 
the dogs. After this had been done several nights in succession, the small dog 
was observed to come at day-dawn to the place where the large one was chained. 




ESKIMO DOGS. 



209 



270 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 



The latter immediately slipped his collar, and the two animals made straight for 
the sheep. Upon arriving at the inclosure, the Newfoundland concealed himself 
behind a hedge, while the terrier drove the sheep toward his ambush, and the fate 
of one of them was quickly sealed. When their breakfast was finished, the dogs 
returned home, and the large one, thrusting his head into his collar, lay down 
again as though nothing had happened. Why this animal should have chosen to 
hunt by stratagem prey which he could so easily have run down I cannot suggest; 
but there is little doubt that so wise a dog must have had some good reason." 

In another case we have met witty a "solemn league and covenant" was made, 
for purposes of offence and defence, between a dog and a cat. A Blenheim 
spaniel was taken to a strange house, and, shortly after his arrival, was attacked 
and severely scratched by the two cats living there. The spaniel was no match 
for both antagonists at once, and so judiciously beat a retreat into the garden. He 
there met a cat belonging to the gardener, and succeeded in making friends with 
her and prevailing on her to join with him against his cruel enemies. The two 
allies then went into the house, and finding one of the victorious cats alone, 
attacked and defeated her. Shortly after she was put to flight, victor number two 
entered the room ; she was also presently attacked and routed with great loss by 
the allied forces, who were thus left masters of the field. The narrator of this 
tale goes on to state that the spaniel remained ever afterward on terms of the 
firmest friendship with his feline helper. 

It is a subject of great interest to consider which of the virtues and vices of 
man himself are exhibited by the dog. We will take first, his good qualities, and 
then shall "follow his vices — close at the heels of his virtues;" so that we may see 
how many of both he can be found to possess. 

First, and most important of all, is a clear sense of right and wrong, without 
which no moral advancement is possible. That nearly all dogs have this sense, 
and that many possess it in a very marked degree, there can be no doubt. Sev- 
eral instances of this faculty are given, by the author we have already quoted, 
Mr. G. J. Romanes, who writes of a little dog in his possession : 

" For a long time this terrier was the only canine pet I had. One day, how- 
ever, I brought home a large dog, and chained him up outside. The jealousy of 
the terrier toward the new comer was extreme. Indeed, I never before knew 
that jealousy in an animal could arrive at such a pitch ; but as it would occupy 
too much space to enter into details, it will be enough to say that I really think 
nothing that could have befallen this terrier would have pleased him so much as 
would any happy accident by which he might well get rid of his rival. Well, a 
few nights after the new dog had arrived, the terrier was, as usual, sleeping in 
my bedroom. About i o'clock in the morning he began to bark and scream very 
loudly, and upon my waking up and telling him to be quiet, he ran between the 
bed and the window in a most excited manner, jumping on and off the toilette 
table after each journey, as much as to say: 'Get up quickly; you have no idea of 



THE DOMESTIC DOG. 271 



what shocking things are going on outside ! ' Accordingly I got up and was sur- 
prised to see the large dog careering down the road : he had broken loose, and 
being wild with fear at finding himself alone in a strange place, was running, he 
knew not whither. Of course I went out as soon as possible, and after about half 
an hour's work succeeded in capturing the runaway. I then brought him into the 
house and chained him up in the hall; after which I fed and caressed him, with 
the view of restoring his peace of mind. During all this time the terrier had 
remained in my bedroom, and although he heard the feeding and caressing pro- 
cess going on down stairs, this was the only time I ever knew him fail to attack 
the large dog when it was taken into the house. Upon my re-entering the bed- 
room, and before I had said anything, the terrier met me with certain indescrib- 
able grinnings and prancings, which he always used to perform when conscious of 
having been a particularly good dog. Now I consider the whole of this episode 
a very remarkable instance in an animal, of action prompted by a sense of duty. 
No other motive than the voice of conscience can here be assigned for what the 
terrier did : even his strong jealousy of the large dog gave way before the yet 
stronger dread he had of the remorse he knew he should have to suffer if next 
day he saw me distressed at a loss which it had been in his power to prevent. 
What makes the case more striking is, that this was the only occasion during the 
many years he slept in my bedroom that the terrier disturbed me in the night- 
time. Indeed, the scrupulous care with which he avoided making the least noise 
while I was asleep, or pretending to be asleep, was quite touching; even the 
sight of a cat outside, which at any other time rendered him frantic, only causing 
him to tremble violently with suppressed emotion, when he had reason to sup- 
pose that I was not awake. If I overslept myself, however, he used to jump upon 
the bed and push my shoulder gently with his paw. 

"The following instance is likewise very instructive. I must premise that 
the terrier in question far surpassed any animal or human being I ever knew in 
the keen sensitiveness of his feelings, and that he was never beaten in his life. 
Well, one day he was shut up in a room by himself, while everybody else in the 
house where he was went out. Seeing his friends from the window as they departed, 
the terrier appears to have been overcome by a paroxysm of rage, for when I 
returned I found that he had torn all the bottoms of the window-curtains to 
shreds. When I first opened the door he jumped about as dogs in general do 
under similar circumstances, having apparently forgotten, in his joy at seeing me, 
the damage he had done. But when, without speaking, I picked up one of the 
torn shreds of the curtains, the terrier gave a howl, and rushing out of the room, 
ran upstairs screaming as loudly as he was able. The only interpretation I can 
assign to this conduct is, that his former fit of passion having subsided, the dog 
was sorry at having done what he knew would annoy me ; and not being able to 
endure in my presence the remorse of his smitten conscience, he ran to the farthest 
corner of the house, crying peccavi, in the language of his nature. 



THE LAND CARNIVORA. 



"Sensitiveness such as this generally goes along with the keenest susceptibility 
to ridicule ; and here, again, the same dog showed a dislike of being laughed at 
which is amusingly human, as is also the clever trick by which he tried to escape 
the gibes which were entering so deeply into his soul. 

"The terrier used to be very fond of catching flies upon the window panes, 
and if ridiculed when unsuccessful, he was evidently much annoyed. On one 
occasion, in order to see what he would do, I purposely laughed immoderately 
every time he failed. It so happened that he did so several times in succession — 
partly, I believe, in consequence of my laughing ; and eventually he became so 
distressed that he positively pretended to catch the fly, going through all the appro- 
priate actions with his lips and tongue, and afterward rubbing the ground with his 
neck as if to kill the victim ; he then looked up at me with a triumphant air of suc- 
cess. So well was the whole process simulated, that I should have been quite 
deceived had I not seen that the fly was still upon the window. Accordingly I 
drew his attention to this fact, as well as to the absence of anything upon the floor, 
and when he saw that his hypocrisy had been detected, he slunk away under some 
furniture, evidently much ashamed of himself." 

Honesty is a virtue very commonly developed in good dogs, and instances of 
it are numerous. But, as usual, the best anecdote is given by Mr. Romanes, again 
apropos of his wonderful terrier: 

" I have seen this dog escort a donkey, which had baskets on its back filled 
with apples. Although the dog did not know that he was being observed by any- 
body, he did his duty with the utmost faithfulness ; for every time the donkey 
turned back its head to take an apple out of the baskets the dog snapped at his 
nose ; and such was his watchfulness, that, although his companion was keenly 
desirous of tasting some of the fruit, he never allowed him to get a single apple 
during the half hour they were left together. I have also seen this terrier protect- 
ing meat from other terriers (his sons) which lived in the same house with him, and 
with which he was on the best of terms. More curious still, I have seen him seize 
my wristbands while they were being worn by a friend to whom I had tem- 
porarily loaned them." 

The tales of canine magnanimity are endless. Every one knows that of the 
big Newfoundland who, being long plagued by a number of little yelping curs, 
one of whom at last bit him, revenged himself only by dipping the offender in the 
quay hard by, and, after he was cowed, plunging in and bringing him safe to land. 
But all dogs are not magnanimous. Some of them, like certain men one meets 
with, have quite a talent for taking offence, and will pick a quarrel on the slightest 
provocation, or, indeed, on no provocation at all. There are, of course, the 
wretched little curs one meets in the street, whose sole delight seems to be to rush 
out suddenly and bark furiously at every passer-by ; but these miserable beings 
act as they do rather from lack of brain, and for want of something to do, than 
from real badness of heart. There are dogs, however, who are naturally quarrel- 






THE DOMESTIC DOG. 



273 



some, and will do all in their power to get up a row, simply for the pleasure of the 
thing. > There is a well authenticated instance of a terrier who, in picking a quar- 
rel contrived, as if trained in the Kanzellei of Prince Bismarck, to place himself 
technically in the right. He would time his movements so that some passenger 
should stumble over him, and would then fasten on the calf of his leg With a 




WATER SPANIEL 



most statesman-like aptitude, he selected the aged, the 
i the objects of his cunningly planned attacks." 

'r^t av,1„ ~ ' _i r 



infirm, and the ill-dressed 

jvo.o Wl 1113 Luuiiiu^Lv piannea attacks." 

Not only are instances of quarrelsomeness to be found in dogs, but also of the 
strongest desire to revenge real or supposed injuries, of the exercise of a wonder- 
u amount of cunning and reasoning power to bring a hated rival to justice. The 
following anecdote forms a capital antithesis to that of Mr. Romanes' terrier who 
prevented the escape of the dog he disliked and was jealous of, although such an 
event would have brought him the greatest possible comfort: 
18 



274 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 



"A fine terrier, in the possession of a surgeon, about three weeks ago exhibited 
its sagacity in a rather amusing manner. It came into the kitchen and began 
plucking the servant by the gown, and in spite of repeated rebuffs, it perseveringly 
continued in its purpose. The mistress of the house hearing the noise, came down 
to inquire the cause, when the animal treated her in a similar manner. Being 
struck with the concern evinced by the creature, she quietly followed it upstairs 
into a bedroom, whither it led her ; there it commenced barking, looking under 
the bed, and then up in her face. Upon examination, a cat was discovered there 
quietly demolishing a beefsteak, which it had feloniousl}' obtained. The most sin- 
gular feature in the whole case is that the cat had been introduced into the house 
only a short time before, and that bitter emnity prevailed between her and her 
canine companion." Besides illustrating the desire for vengeance, this is as good 
an instance of reason as any we have given. The dog evidently argued to himself 
in this wise : " If I fly upon this wretched cat and deprive her of her stolen goods 
by force, she will get nothing more than a fright, or, perhaps, a few tooth marks; 
but if I lodge a complaint against her before the proper tribunal, her guilt will be 
manifest to the whole household, and she will be got rid of, or even killed." The 
dog, by the way he conceived and acted on this plan, showed himself to be nearly 
as clever and almost as wicked as a great many men one reads about in history. 

The varieties or breeds of the dog are extremely numerous, and differ from 
each other to a wonderful degree. In the matter of size, we have the mastiff, as 
large as a pony, at one end of the series, and the toy-terrier, a few inches long, at 
the other. As to the development of hair, there is every gradation, from the hair- 
less Turkish dog to the Skye terrier or the poodle; as to running powers, there 
are the grejdiound and the turnspit ; in the matter of mental and moral character- 
istics, we have the intelligent shepherd's dog, the obstinate and courageous bull- 
dog, the silly Italian greyhound, and the lazy lap-dog. Never was animal so thor- 
oughly, so unanimously, and so successfully selected ; never did any show such 
endless variation in so many particulars. Not only has civilized man his endless 
breeds of dogs, but nearly every savage tribe of any degree of intelligence has, to 
a greater or less degree, succeeded in producing a race exhibiting well marked 
characters, useful to them as a guardian of flocks or a beast of burden. Then, in 
many parts of the world there are to be found troops of dogs which have become 
wild, though not sufficiently so to be actually dangerous, and which act as scav- 
engers in those countries which, like Turkey, are not blessed with a particularly 
stringent code of sanitary regulations. 

THE HARE INDIAN DOG. This interesting variety is found only in North 
America, in the region of the Great Bear Lake and the Mackenzie River, where it 
is kept as a hunting dog by the Hare Indians and one or two other tribes. It 
deserves great interest from the fact that it closely resembles the prairie wolf, 
from which it is very probably descended. 



THE HARE INDIAN DOG. 



275 



"The Hare Indian dog is very playful, has an affectionate disposition, and is 
soon gained by kindness. It is not, however, very docile, and dislikes confinement 
of every kind. It is very fond of being caressed, rubs its back against the hand 
like a cat, and soon makes an acquaintance with a stranger. Like a wild animal, 
it is very mindful of an injury, nor does it, like the spaniel, crouch under the lash; 
but if it is conscious of having deserved punishment, it will hover round the tent 
of its master the whole day, without coming within his reach, even when he calls it. 
Its howl, when hurt or afraid, is that of the wolf; but when it sees any unusual 




hare Indian dog. {One -ninth natural size.) 

object, it makes a singular attempt at barking, commencing by a kind of growl, 
which is not, however, unpleasant, and ending in a prolonged howl. Its voice is 
very much like that of the prairie wolf. The larger dogs, which we had for 
draught at Fort Franklin, and which were of the mongrel breed in common use at 
the fur-posts, used to pursue the Hare Indian dogs for the purpose of devouring 
them; but the latter far outstripped them in speed, and easily made their escape. 
A young puppy, which I purchased from the Hare Indians, became greatly attached 
to me, and when about seven months old ran on the snow by the side of my sledge 
for nine hundred miles without suffering from fatigue. During this march it fre- 
quently, of its own accord, carried a small twig, or one of my mittens, for a mile 



2T6 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 

or two ; but, although very gentle in its manners, it showed little aptitude in learn- 
ing any of the arts which the Newfoundland dogs so speedily acquire, of fetching 
and carrying when ordered. This dog was killed and eaten by an Indian on the 
Saskatchewan, who pretended that he mistook it for a fox." 

THE ESKIMO DOC. Not only does the Eskimo dog agree with the wolf 
in appearance, but also in disposition ; it is wild, savage, and obstinate to a degree 
almost inconceivable to us, who are only acquainted with civilized dogs. In illus- 
tration of the wolf-like disposition of the beast, Dr. Robert Brown relates an inci- 
dent which shows that it is but little removed from its probable ancestor. We 
said above that it was only half tamed ; so certainly is this the case, that it "can 
only be kept in subjection by the most unmerciful lashing, for its savage nature 
will out." 

The chief use of the Eskimo dog is to draw the sledges, which are the only 
possible conveyance in that frozen land. In all the Arctic expeditions which have 
been sent out at various times, a good supply of sledge-dogs has been one of the 
greatest desiderata, as without them it would be absolutely impossible to proceed 
far. No other animal would answer the purpose, both horses and cattle being 
quite useless in journeys over ice and snow, among which the pack of light, active 
dogs make their way with wonderful ease and safety. 

The presence of a good leader to every sledge team is of the first importance ; 
the other dogs obey him far more implicitly than the driver, as he has gained his 
proud position vi et armis, and keeps all his subordinates in the strictest order. 
Notwithstanding this, the behavior of the team while running is far from exem- 
plary. Captain Lyon says, "They are constantly fighting, and I do not recollect to 
have seen one receive a flogging without instantly wreaking his passion on 
the ears of his neighbor." So that it is always best to trust to a good leader 
than to any amount of whipping, as the latter may only involve the whole concern 
— team, sledge, driver, and all — in hopeless and inextricable confusion. "Among 
the Eskimo on the western shore of Davis Straits, a loose dog usually precedes 
the sledge, and, by carefully avoiding broken places in the ice, acts as a guide to 
the sledge team, which carefully follows his lead." 

Besides their use as draught animals, these dogs are employed in bear and seal 
hunting. Their skin is also valuable, and the natives are extremely fond of their 
flesh, although, as the dog is getting gradually scarcer, they can seldom indulge 
in the dainty. 

THE GREYHOUND. The various breeds of this dog are the most elegant 
in the whole species. The head is proportionally smaller than in any other variety, 
and in consequence of this, the greyhound is by no means one of the dogs particu- 
larly noted for intellect, his energy having all gone off in the direction of speed, 
and there being, in consequence, none to spare for brain power. He is, in fact, an 



THE GREYHOUND. 



277 



athlete, and nothing more — a pace et prceterea nihil. In former times the greyhound 
was sufficiently strong to cope with the wolf, but for many hundred years he has 
gradually degenerated in strength, and toward the close of the last century was so 
deficient in courage and perseverance that Lord Oxford, one of the lights of the 
sporting world at that time, hit upon the ingenious plan of crossing his greyhounds 
with bulldogs. This expedient was so successful that, "after the sixth or seventh 
generation, there was not a vestige left of the form of the bulldog ; but his cour- 
age and indomitable perseverance remained, and, having once started after his 
game, he did not relinquish the chase until he fell exhausted, or perhaps died. 

/ 




the Italian greyhound. {One-ninth natural size.) 

This cross is now almost universally adopted. It is one of the secrets in the breed- 
ing of the greyhound." 

The form of the greyhound is as well known as that of any dog ; its long, slen- 
der muzzle, capacious chest, slender loins, and beautifully shaped limbs, are familiar 
to every one ; the latter form a set of spring levers only equaled by the limbs of a 
racehorse or a deer. The color is very variable — black, white, fawn, or brindled. 
The hair is short and fine, and the ears rise erect for a certain height and then hang 
over. This dog is now used only for coursing or hare-hunting. In performing this 
task, it is guided entirely by the eye, its sense of smell being deficient, and practi- 
cally of no importance in the chase ; so that if once the greyhound loses sight of 
the game, the latter is started again by a spaniel. The speed attained by a good 
greyhound is very remarkable; it is, indeed, just inferior to that of a race-horse. 



278 



THE LAND CARNIVORA. 



THE WATER SPANIEL is larger than any of the other spaniels; it is 
also a stronger dog, and has closely curled hair, and ears proportionally much 
shorter. It is used in shooting, having first to find the game, and then, when a 
bird falls, to bring it to its master without mangling. It is one of the most docile 
and intelligent of dogs, and has numerous tales told of it, both in prose and poetry. 
Among the latter we may mention Cowper's well known piece, " The Water 
Lily."' 

THE POODLE is a dog of European origin, and is well known by its thick, 
generally white, curly hair, which conceals its face and covers its body like a mat. 
In France, and sometimes, alas! in England and America, people try to improve 
the breed by shaving off the hair from the hinder half of the body, with the excep- 




THE POODLE. 

tion of the tip of the tail, thus making the wretched animal a spectacle to men and 
angels. Some misguided people go even further than this, and dye the hair of 
various colors — making, perhaps, a magenta body and a yellow tail, or some other 
equally tasteful and appropriate combination. 

The poodle, notwithstanding the way it is treated, is an extremely intelligent 
dog, and capable of learning all sorts of tricks ; it will walk on its hind legs, dance, 
sham dead, and, in fact, do almost anything it is taught. It is also affectionate and 
devoted, and has shown itself capable of retaining for life the memory of a deceased 
master. 

THE ST. BERNARD DOC. This magnificent breed is now better known 
than formerly, as it is becoming quite usual to keep them instead of mastiffs or 
Newfoundlands. The breed was, until lately, almost confined to the Alps, where 
it was kept by the monks of the convent of Mount St. Bernard, and sent out, pro- 



THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG. 



79 



vided with a little barrel of brandy tied round its neck, to rescue travelers lost in 
the snow. The number of people who have been saved from death in this way, by 
the humanity of these good monks and the intelligence of their dogs, must' be 




THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG. 

very great, for a single dog, the celebrated " Barry," saved no less than forty lives 
himself, and at last perished on one of his expeditions of mercy. 

THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOC is the finest and largest of water-dogs, 

besides being among the most intelligent and courageous. It is covered with thick 
curly hair, usually black or black and white, the curls being more flowing and not 
so close and woolly as in the ordinary spaniel or the retriever. So fully is this dog 



280 



THE LAND CARNIVORA. 



adapted for swimming-, that its feet have very considerable webs, extending between 
the toes — an evident adaptation to its aquatic habits. 

The attachment which these magnificent dogs feel toward mankind is almost 
unaccountable, for they have been often known to undergo the greatest hardships 
in order to bring succor to a person whom they had never seen before. A New- 
foundland dog has been known to discover a poor man perishing in the snow from 
cold and inanition, to dash off, procure assistance, telling by certain doggish lan- 
guage of its own of the need for help, and then to gallop back again to the sufferer, 

lying upon him as if to afford 
vital heat from his own body, 
and there to wait until the 
desired assistance arrived. 

One day a Newfoundland 
dog and a mastiff had a sharp 
quarrel over a bone. They 
were fighting on a bridge, and 
over they went into the water. 
The banks were so high that 
they were forced to swim 
some distance before they 
came to a landing place. It 
was very easy for the New- 
foundland ; he was as much at 
home in the water as a seal. 
But not so poor Bruce, the 
mastiff; he struggled and tried 
his best to swim, but made 
little headway. The Newfoundland dog quickly reached the land, and then turned 
to look at his old enemy. He saw plainly that his strength was fast failing, and 
that he was likely to drown. So what did the noble fellow do but plunge in, seize 
him gently by the collar, and keeping his nose above water, tow him safely into 
port ! It was funny to see these dogs look at each other as they shook their 
coats. Their glance said as plainly as words, "We'll never quarrel any more." 

Another incident exhibits the intelligence of the Newfoundland. A large, 
heavy wagon, which was, notwithstanding its enormous weight, dragged along at 
a smart trot by a vigorous horse, was passing lately through the Rue de la Cha. 
pelle, at Paris. An infant of three years of age having ventured on the public 
road, unconscious of the danger it was running, was just about to be crushed 
beneath the wheels of the huge vehicle. Quicker than thought, a magnificent 
Newfoundland dog, which was sitting on the pavement, darted forth with one 
immense bound, snapped up the little being, passed -like an arrow beneath the 
wagon between the four wheels, and deposited the poor child safe and sound upon 




HEAD OF SETTER. 



THE SHEEP DOG— THE BLOODHOUND. 



281 



the opposite pavement. Another of these animals, belonging to a workman, was 
attacked by a small and pugnacious bulldog, which sprang upon the unoffending 
canine giant, and after the manner of bulldogs, "pinned" him by the nose, and 
there hung, in spite of all endeavors to shake it off. However, the big dog hap- 
pened to be a clever one, and spying a pailful of boiling tar, he bolted toward it, 




THE BLOODHOUND. 



and deliberately lowered his foe into the hot and viscous material. The bulldog 
had not calculated on such a reception, and made its escape as fast as it could 
run, bearing with it a scalding memento of the occasion. 



THE SHEEP DOC. This is not only the most important of all our 
domestic breeds, but it is second to none for intelligence and devotion. It is quite 



28:2 



THE LAND CARNIhORA. 



a rare thing to find a shepherd's dog who will offer the slightest violence to the 
animals under its care; and it can often be trusted almost with the entire man- 
agement of the flock, driving them from place to place, gathering them together 
to be counted, and making altogether a far more valuable assistant to the shepherd 
than any human being could possibly be. The dog is wholly devoted to the work, 
and his obedience and skill are perfect, penning the sheep from field after field, 
for his owner, who foots it slowly after him, and finds the flock ready to his hand. 
It used to be credibly reported to us in our boyhood, that some of these dogs 
would lay themselves down by a sheep that had got cast; these dogs, it was said, 
would push their arched spine against the helpless sheep, and give them sufficient 
leverage to enable them to rise. 



THE BLOODHOUND. This dog resembles pretty closely the- deerhound, 
or old English hound, but is considerably larger, with longer ears of a soft and 

delicate texture, and 
deeper "flews," or 
down hanging upper 
lips. The color is 
brown, verging to red- 
dish along the back, 
and to light fawn-color 
below. The eyes 
should be surrounded 
with a distinct red 
ring, due to the ex- 
posure of the delicate 
membrane lining the 
eyelids. To judge 
from the animal's countenance, no one would imagine the horrid purpose for which 
it was originally bred, for few dogs have a milder, more benevolent, or more 
intelligent visage. In former times these dogs were used to track runaway slaves, 
robbers and other offenders, a duty which they performed with the most unerring 
accuracy, never giving up the chase until they had brought their miserable quarry 
to bay. When engaged in this work, all their mildness disappeared, and they 
were transformed into perfect furies. Mr. Youatt, writing in 1845, says: "The 
Thrapstone Association lately trained a bloodhound for the detection of sheep 
-stealers. In order to prove the utility of this dog, a person whom he had not 
seen was ordered to run as far and as fast as his strength would permit. An 
hour afterward, the hound was brought out. He was placed on the spot whence 
the man had started. He almost immediately detected the scent, and broke 
away, and after a chase of an hour and a half, found him concealed in a tree 
fifteen miles distant ! " 




THE BULLDOG. 



283 



THE SETTER, according- to Vouatt, "is evidently the large spaniel, 
improved to his peculiar size and beauty, and taught another way of marking 
his game, viz., by setting or crouching. If the form of the dog were not suf- 
ficiently satisfactory on this point, we might have recourse to history for information 
on it. Mr. Daniel, in his ' Rural Sports,' has preserved a document, dated in the 
year 1685, in which a yeoman binds himself, for the sum of ten shillings, fully 
and effectually to teach a spaniel to sit partridges and pheasants. The first per- 
son, however, who systematically broke in sitting dogs is supposed to have been 
Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, in 1335." The hind surface of the legs, and 
the under surface of the tail of the setter should be well " feathered," that is, beset 
with long hair. 

THE POINTER. Mr. 

Darwin says: " The pointers 
are certainly descended from r — „ 
a Spanish breed, as even the \ N, 
names Don, Ponto, Carlos, ""^^fi 
etc., would show." The value 
of this dog consists in his habit 
of "pointing," or standing 
silently, with lifted foot and 
outstretched muzzle, as soon 
as he finds game. A very 
remarkable circumstance with 
regard to this habit is the way 
in which it is inherited. A 
young dog points instinctively 
the first time he is taken into 
the field. 




THE BADGER DOG. 



THE BADGER DOC is a German breed. The fore-legs are crooked at the 
wrist-joint, and the feet are very large. It was originally bred, as its name implies, 
for badger-hunting, and so strong is its instinct for the sport even now it has 
become a drawing-room pet, that it will rush at anything that looks like a hole, 
and begin to burrow vigorously. 



THE BULLDOG is undoubtedly the most savage and untamable of all the 
breeds; he is, moreover, except to the eyes of the fancier, the ugliest; for, 
although he has not the grotesque proportions of the turnspit, yet his crooked 
legs, rat's tail, flat forehead, little wicked eyes, turned up nose, big mouth, and 
underhung lower jaw, make him a creature absolutely hideous to any one whose 
taste is not sufficiently cultivated to enable him to admire anything "proper." 
The two features of the crooked legs and the underhung jaw are simply selected 



284 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 



and perpetuated deformities. The projection of the lower jaw and the receding 
of the nose are extremely marked, and give the dog a most sinister appearance. 
The chest of a good bulldog is very broad and strong. The hindquarters, on the 
other hand, are comparatively feeble. The bulldog was formerly used — as its 
name implies — for the barbarous " sport " of bull baiting, in which our forefathers 
took so much delight. The dog would seize upon the bull's nose and lip, and no 
power in heaven and earth could make him leave his hold. He would even fight 
with the lion, and seize upon his gigantic antagonist again and again, although 
torn and mangled all over with great claw wounds. 

Although not a water dog, the bulldog is a capital swimmer, his immense 
strength and indomitable pluck giving him an advantage over even such a pro- 
fessed swimmer as the Newfoundland. "During a heavy gale, a ship had struck 
on a rock near the land. The only chance of escape for the shipwrecked was to 
get a rope ashore ; for it was impossible for any boat to live in the sea as it was 
then running. There were two Newfoundland dogs and a bulldog on board. 
One of the Newfoundland dogs was thrown overboard, with a rope thrown round 
him, and perished in the waves. The second shared a similar fate; but the bull- 
dog fought his way through that terrible sea, and arriving safe on shore, rope and 
all, became the saviour of the crew." 

THE MASTIFF. This dog "is probably an original breed peculiar to the 
British Islands." It is larger than the bulldog, has a head of somewhat the same 
shape, with deep flews, but its ears are pendant, and it has none of the bulldog's 
deformity. From the bloodhound it is distinguished by the shape of the head, 
which is rounder and shorter, and by the absence of a red ring round the eye. 
At the present day, the mastiff is used chiefly as a house dog, for which purpose 
his fidelity and strength make him thoroughly well suited. 

PARIAH DOCS. We come lastly to tho .e nondescript animals, the 
Pariahs, or domesticated dogs run wild, which occur in packs in many parts of 
Eastern Europe and of Asia. These herds of miserable, half-starved animals are 
undoubtedly not true wild dogs, but degenerated tame ones; the dog being derived 
from a wild ancestor, under certain circumstances shows his descent by reverting 
to the habits of his forbears. 

" The dogs of the Egyptian towns are masterless, and live on carcasses thrown 
out on the mounds of rubbish outside the walls, and what is cast them by the 
charitable. In the villages, and with the shepherds along the desert, they are 
better cared for, protecting the property of the people from thieves, and their 
animals from wild beasts. These dogs are generally sandy in color, but they vary 
— some are black, and others white." 

In Siam, these unhappy creatures are equally abundant, and are even worse 
off. Mr. Thomas states that they occur in great numbers in nearly all the temples. 



THE MASTIFF— PARIAH DOGS. 



285 



"It is contrary to the Buddhist creed to take away life ; hence many of their tem- 
ples become places of refuge for troops of famished dogs, who remain there till 
they die ; for though the priests give them what food they can spare, there is never 
enough for them all. These dogs, then, are usually animated skeletons, their skins 
destitute of hair, and covered with many sores. I tossed them a little food: it 
gave rise to the most savage fight 1 ever witnessed. One or two wretched curs 
limped away from the strife, torn and lacerated, probably to lie down and die. 
This canine community — fierce, hungry, and diseased — must surely be one of those 
many Buddhist hells where sorcerers expiate their crimes. The animals are 




THE MASTIFF. 

deemed to be animated by the spirits of the departed, and are undergoing a life- 
time of torture. The priests, if they are good men, look on at their misery with 
pious complacency, and probably take the lesson to heart, lest they, too, in the 
next stage of their existence, should be condemed to howl for offal or garbage to 
satisfy the hungry pangs and sore-eaten frames of starving Pariah dogs.' 



THE D3NCO. The dingo is not a noble savage who has never known civil- 
ization, but a civilized dog run wild. It is the only carnivorous animal found in 
Australia, consequently is not a marsupial, and therefore is not indigenous to the 
island. It has all the look of a domestic dog. It is about as large as a sheep-dog, 



286 



THE LAND CARNIVORA. 



and is of a reddish brown color, sprinkled with black. It crosses freely with the 
tame dog-. 

Large packs of these wild dogs ravage the localities in which they have taken 
up their residence, and have attained to so high a degree of organization that each 
pack will only hunt over its own district, and will neither intrude upon the terri- 
tory which has been allotted to a neighboring pack of dingoes, nor permit any 
intrusion upon its own soil. For this reason their raids upon the flocks and herds 
are so dangerous that the colonists have been obliged to call meetings in order to 
arrange proceedings against the common foe. Before the sheep-owners had 
learned to take effectual measures to check the inroads of these marauders, they 
lost their flocks in such numbers that they counted their missing sheep by the hun- 




KANGAROO PURSUED BY DINGOS. 

dred. From one colony no less than twelve hundred sheep and lambs were stolen 
in three months. 

The dingo is cowardly, and will rather run away than fight ; but when hard 
pressed, and it finds that its legs are of no use, it turns to bay with savage ferocity, 
and dashes at its opponents with the furious energy of despair. It carries these 
uncivilized customs into domesticated life ; and even when its restless limbs are 
subjected to the torpifying thraldom of chain and collar, and its wild, wolfish 
nature allayed by regular meals and restricted exercise, it is ever ready to make a 
sudden and unprovoked attack upon man or beast, provided always that its 
treacherous onset can be made unseen. After the attack it always retreats into the 
farthest recesses of its habitation, and there crouches in fear and silence, whether it 
has failed or succeeded in its cowardly malice. 

THE INDIAN WILD DOC. This animal exists in large numbers all over 
the peninsulas of India and Malacca. They have in many respects, an appearance 




2S7 



2S8 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 

resembling that of a fox or a jackal, with which it also agrees in its filthy smell. 
It is, however, a true dog, although less specialized than the domestic kinds, and 
therefore approaching the average structure of the wild Canidce. 

These dogs hunt in packs, six, eight, ten, or as many as thirty animals in a pack, 
They hunt either by night or day; and it is said that "when once a pack of them 
put up any animal, no matter whether deer or tiger, that animal's doom is sealed ; 
they never leave it. They will dog their prey lor days, if need be, and run it down 
exhausted, and if it turns to fight, they go in fearlessly and by their numbers win. 
All animals dread the wild dog ; others they may elude by speed, artifice, or bat- 
tle ; but their instinct tells them that there is no escaping the wild dog, as it hunts 
in packs by scent as well as by sight, and is as brave as it is persevering." 

They make no noise when running, except sometimes a low whispering kind of 
note, which may either express their own gratification, or act as a signal to other 
dogs. Great numbers of them are destroyed in their hunting expeditions, as the 
larger animals, such as the elk and boar, defend themselves with great fierceness, 
and sacrifice many of their pursuers before they fall a victim to the overwhelming 
numbers and unconquerable perseverance of the latter. 

THE WOLF. 

We have considered all the most important " beasts of prey,'' with two excep- 
tions, under the cat family, to which they belong. Two important ravagers still 
remain — the bear and the wolf. Of the great cats, much good is often spoken. 
Notwithstanding their cruelty and bloodthirstiness, the} 7 are handsome, strong, and 
usually courageous ; each one hunts his prey for himself, and when he has satisfied 
his appetite, leaves the remainder to inferior beasts, disdaining, unless when reduced 
by starvation, to touch any but fresh meat. The bear, too, often has a word said 
for him ; his curious, half good natured look, his semi-human waddle, the tricks 
he is capable, of learning, all combine to make him seem not so very objectionable 
a beast after all. But who ever heard any good said of a wolf? There have, 
indeed, been a few instances of wolves in captivity who have shown much affection 
and fidelity to their masters ; but, under ordinary circumstances, cruel, cowardly, 
dastardly, greedy, pitiless, are the adjectives applied to him. 

The wolf has a place in history as venerable as that of the lion, and he was 
the dread of the shepherd four thousand years ago. The wolf is about the size of 
a large shepherd dog. The skin is of a dark yellowish grey color, or sometimes 
almost black; the hair is long and coarse in the northern varieties, which have to 
sustain existence through a long, cold winter, and shorter in the southern kinds, 
which enjoy a warmer climate. There is also a good deal of variation in color, 
according to the country from which the animal comes. 

The muzzle has much the same shape as that of many shepherd's dogs, but the 
ears are upright and pointed, and the eyes are set obliquely ; in this respect the 






THE WOLF. 



289 



difference between a wolf and a dog is very striking — the obliquity of the eye in 
the former gives him a most sinister expression. The bushy tail, too, is not curled 
up like a dog's, but held down, almost between the hind legs. But perhaps the 
most striking difference from the dog is in the voice; the wolf never barks — that 
is entirely a civilized habit; even dogs allowed to become wild lose it — but howls 
in a horrible and ghastly manner. 

The wolf usually lives in solitary places in mountains ; but in Spain he is said 
sometimes to make his lair in cornfields, in close proximity to inhabited dwellings. 
Here he lives with his wife and family, usually cache during the day, and issuing 
forth at night to take his prey. During the warmer periods of the year wolves, as 
a rule, hunt each one for himself, but in the winter they often unite into great 
packs, and pursue their prey over the snow at a rapid pace and with indomitable 
perseverance. Swift and untiring must be the animal which, on an open plain, can 
escape from them ; even 
the horse, perfectly con- 
structed as he is for rapid 
running, is almost certain 
to succumb, unless he can 
reach a village before his 
pace begins to flag. They 
never spring upon an ani- 
mal from ambush — the 
nearest approach ever 
made to such an attack 
being their practice of 
attacking sheepfolds by- 
leaping into the midst of the flock and killing right and left; when they reach their 
prey, too, the first onslaught is made with the teeth, and never by a blow of the 
paw. Thus, a wolf's attack — like that of all members of the genus Canis — is 
entirely different from a cat's. The cat lies in ambush all alone, springs upon the 
passing prey, which, if he misses he scarcely ever pursues, and kills by a blow of 
the paw. The dog and wolf attack openly, sometimes alone, but oftener in com- 
pany, pursue their prey with unflagging energy until it falls a victim, and give 
the death-wound at once with their teeth. To shepherds the wolf is, and has been 
from the earliest times, a most unmitigated curse. A single wolf will leap the 
wall of a sheepfold and murder perhaps a quarter or a third of the flock before his 
lust for slaughter is satisfied. Of course, he cannot eat more than one, or part of 
one, and the others he slays from wanton cruelty. Mutton is naturally his stand- 
ing dish, as it can be procured, if at all, in abundance, and with comparatively lit- 
tle difficulty; but he is not at all particular, and will eat deer, goats, birds, and 
even reptiles. But his favorite meat, curious to relate, is dog, and there are man} 7 
instances related of the eagerness and recklessness shown by wolves to obtain this 
19 




290 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 

cannibal feast. " Wolves have been known to carry off a pointer from a sledge 
going at full gallop. The animal leaps with a single bound among the three or 
four persons in the vehicle, who remain stupefied at so much audacity, seizes his 
innocent victim, and plunges again into the forest. The whole is done in less time 
than it takes to tell. Another time it is a young Newfoundland, which his master, 
traveling on horseback, has placed before him on the pommel of his large saddle; 
the wolf sees him, leans udou and seizes him, and carries him off without touching 
man-or horse." 

If the wolf confined himself to sheep and dogs, matters would be bad, indeed, 
but still endurable; unfortunately, however, this horrible savage likes human flesh 
just as well as "flesh of mutton, beeves, or goats." A single wolf hardly ever dares 
attack a man, for he is essentially a cowardly animal, but a child may be now and 
then carried off, and a man or a body of men may be attacked by an immense 
troop of wolves, and then, unless thev can get to a village or some other shelter, 
their fate is sealed. They may kill the wolves by dozens, expend all their ammuni- 
tion, making every shot tell, fell the howling monsters until their swords are hacked, 
but it is all of no avail ; each falling wolf is replaced by a fresh one hungrier and 
more vigorous than himself, and the end, unless succor come, can only be death by 
the teeth and a grave in the maw of perhaps hundreds of wolves. 

The wolf, savage though he be, is quite tamable; he has often shown great 
devotion to his master, and has, in fact, behaved in every respect like an affection- 
ate dog, a very interesting fact, as bearing upon the evolution of dogs from wild 
Can idee. 

THE NORTH AMERICAN WOLF, which extends from Greenland in the 
north to Mexico in the south, differs from the European kind chiefly in its fur being 
finer, denser, and longer, and in the curious fact that its feet are very broad, so as 
to enable it to run easily on the snow. The development of these natural snow 
shoes in the American wolf fitting it so beautifully for its particular mode of life, is 
highly interesting. This species is entirely absent from South America, but its 
wide distribution in North America may be gathered from the following account: 

"Wolves are found in greater or less abundance in different districts, but they 
may be said to be very common throughout the northern regions; their footmarks 
may be found by the side of every stream, and a traveler can rarely pass a night 
in these wilds without hearing them howling around him. They are very numer- 
ous on the sandy plains which, lying to the eastward of the Rocky Mountains, 
extend from the sources of the Peace and Saskatchewan Rivers toward the Mis- 
souri. There bands of them hang on the skirts of the buffalo herds, and prey upon 
the sick and straggling calves. They do not, under ordinary circumstances, ven- 
ture to attack- the full grown animal; for the hunters informed me that they often 
see wolves walking through a herd of bulls without exciting the least alarm; and 
the marksmen, when they crawl toward a buffalo for the purpose of shooting it, 



THE COYOTE. 



291 



occasionally wear a cap with two ears, in imitation of the head of a wolf, knowing- 
from experience that they will be suffered to approach nearer in that guise." 

THE COYOTE, or Prairie Wolf, occurs, along with the common North 
American Wolf, as far south as Mexico, its northern range being about the 55th 
degree of latitude. 

"The Prairie Wolf has much resemblance to the common Grey Wolf in color; 
but differs from it so much in size, voice, and manner, that it is fully entitled to rank as 




SSI 




coyote, or prairie wulf. [One-ninth natural size.) 

2l distinct species. It inhabits the plains of the Missouri and Saskatchewan, and also, 
though in smaller numbers, those of Columbia. On the banks of the Saskatchewan 
these animals start from the earth in great numbers on hearing the report of a gun, 
and gather around the hunter in expectation of getting the offal of the animal he has 
slaughtered. They hunt in packs, and are much more fleet than the common wolf. 
1 was informed by a gentleman who has resided forty years on the Saskatchewan, 
and is an experienced hunter, that the only animal on the plains which he could 
not overtake, when mounted on a good horse, was the prong-horned antelope, and 
that the Meesteh-chaggoneesh, or Prairie wolf, was the next in speed. 



292 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 



'The fur of the prairie wolf is of the same quality with that of the grey wolf r 
and consists of long hairs, with a thick wool at their base. The wool has a smoky 
or dull lead color; the long hairs on the back are either white for their whole 
length, or they are merely tipped with black. The prevailing color along the spine 
is dark blackish-grey, sprinkled with white hairs. Its cheeks, upper lip, chin, 
throat, belly, and insides of the thighs, are white. There is a light-brown tint 
upon the upper surface of the nose, on the forehead, and between the ears, on the 
shoulders, on the sides, where it is mixed with grey, and on the outside of the 
thighs and legs. The tail is grey and brown, with a black tip. Some individuals 
have a broad black mark on the shins of the fore-legs, like the European wolf. 
The ears are short, erect and roundish, white anteriorly and brown behind. The 
tail is bushy, and is clothed, like the body, with wool and long hair. Some 
specimens want the brown tints, and have most of the grey color." The length 
of body and head together amounts to about three feet; that of the tail about 
fourteen or fifteen inches. 

THE JACKAL. Next to the wolf, the jackal is the most important wild 
member of the dog tribe. It is a much smaller animal than the wolf, not exceed- 
ing thirty inches in length, and seventeen in height at the shoulder. It is also 
distinguished from wolves and true dogs by its curious long pointed muzzle. Its 
fur is of a dusky yellowish color — whence its name of Gilded Wolf, and its specific 
appellation aureus — "the hairs being mottled black, grey, and brown, with the under 
fur brownish vellow, the lower parts yellowish grey, tail reddish brown, ending in 
a darkish tuft." There is a good deal of variation from this color, depending 
partly on the time of year, partly on the locality. 

The jackal is a cowardly animal, blessed with a most evil smell, and with a 
voracious appetite. It lives largely upon carrion, a good deal of which it gets as 
a sort of "perquisite" from the remains of the lion's feast. It is sometimes called 
"the lion's provider," a name which "may have arisen from the notion that the yell 
of the pack gives notice to the lion that prey is on foot, or from the jackals being 
seen to feed on the remnants of the lion's quarry." Dr. Jerdan says, "It is a very 
useful scavenger, clearing away all garbage and carrion from the neighborhood of 
Cape Town, but occasionally committing depredations among poultry and other 
domestic animals. Sickly sheep and goats usually fall a prey to him; and a 
wounded antelope is pretty certain to be tracked and hunted to death by jackals. 
They will, however, partake freely of vegetable food." 

Like most other dogs, the jackal hunts in packs; and then, while on an expe- 
dition for food, makes night hideous by its fearful cries. In this it calls to mind 
the hyena, as well as in some other particulars, as, for instance, in its love for 
carrion, and in the remarkably cool way in which it will stare and laugh at trav- 
elers, as if holding them up to general ridicule. The habits of the jackal are 
altogether canine. Their hunts are conducted under the guidance of a leader, 



THE JACKAL. 



293 



who is said to give the signal for every attack by a peculiar cry, and so powerful 
are these little animals in their union, that they are capable of pulling down a 
deer. Their chief food in Ceylon seems to be hares, the numbers of which they 
keep down to such an extent that those palatable rodents are quite scarce in 
regions infested by jackals. 

The jackal resembles in one respect, the fox, more than even the wolf or wild 
dog. It has the reputation for excessive cunning, and indeed takes the place of 
our old vulpine friend, in the legends of the East. It is said that "when a jackal 
has brought down his game and killed it, his first impulse is to hide it in the nearest 
jungle, whence he issues, with an air of easy indifference, to observe whether any- 




THE JACKAL OF SENEGAL. 

thing more powerful than himself may be at hand from which he might encounter 
the risk of being despoiled of his capture. If the coast be clear, he returns 
to the concealed carcass, and carries it away, followed by his companions. 
But if a man be in sight, or any other animal to be avoided, my informant has seen 
the jackal seize a cocoanut husk in his mouth, or any similar substance, and fly at 
full speed, as if eager to carry off his pretended prize, returning for the real 
booty at some more convenient season." 

Jackals have often been tamed; and, under the circumstances, behave exactly 
like the domestic dog; they fawn upon their masters, wag their tails, and throw 
themselves on their backs with all four paws in the air, altogether like dogs. The 
chief drawback to their domestication is their abominable smell; but it is stated 
by Colonel Sykes that a tame female jackal in his possession was quite devoid of 



294 



THE LAND CARNIVORA. 



this odor, while a recently caught male, which was placed with her, smelt so hor. 
ribly as to be almost unapproachable. 

The jackal of Senegal is one of the best marked varieties of the jackal, and 
has a strong claim to-the distinction of a separate specific name. It is consid- 
erably larger than the common kind, more elegantly built, and has very long legs,, 
almost like those of a greyhound, it is of a bright tawny color, with dark band 
on the back, side and chest. It is one of the commonest animals in Central Africa, 
and "its habits are different to those of the common jackal. It is more prudent 
and suspicious, and is completely nocturnal. During the day it lies hidden in a 
safe retreat, and nothing but chance can reveal its presence to the hunter." 



..<,\»'' 




the common fox. (One-tenth natural size.) 

THE COMMON FOX. The foxes form a very distinct group of Canid(Z r 
differing far more from the dog, wolf, and jackal than those animals do from one 
another. The most characteristic and important difference between them lies in 
the fact that in the foxes the pupil of the eve contracts under the influence of 
strong light to a vertical slit, dilating and becoming circular again as the light 
diminishes. This is the case, as will be remembered, in the common cat, and many 
other members of the same family; it is, in fact, very usual in animals of nocturnal 
habits, which, being used under ordinary circumstances to make shift with the 
smallest quantity of light obtainable, are advantaged by being able to exclude all 
superfluous rays when the illumination becomes stronger than they can com- 
fortably bear. 

The habits and appearance of the fox are thoroughly well known. His cun- 
ning is proverbial. When hunted, he " makes a thousand shifts to get away," and 




295 



296 THE LAND CARNJVORA. 

often succeeds in baffling the whole pack of well-trained hounds. His stealthy 
tread, as he winds along the hillsides and valley slopes to seek his prey or to 
reach his lair, is altogether characteristic of one thoroughly well up to his work. 
Numberless tales are told of his sagacity, but we will content ourselves with one 
which forms almost as good an example of animal reason as any we have met with, 
even in the dog: "A farmer was looking out of his window one summer's morn- 
ing, about three o'clock, when he saw a fox crossing a field before it, carrying a 
large duck which he had captured. On coming to a stone dyke, about four feet 
high, on the side of the field, Reynard made an effort to leap over it with his prey, 
but failed, and fell back into the field. After making three attempts, with the same 
result, he sat down, and viewed the dyke for a few minutes; after apparently satis- 
fying himself, he caught the duck by the head, and standing up against the dyke 
with his forepaws as high as he could reach, he placed the bill of the duck in a 
crevice in the wall; then springing upon the top he reached down, and pulling up 
the duck, dropped it upon the other side, leaped down, and picking it up, went on 
his way." 

The common fox is found, under more or less well marked varieties, some of 
which are often elevated to the rank of species, over the greater part of Europe, 
Asia, and North Africa, and in many parts of America. 

THE ARCTIC FOX. This is an extremely well marked species of fox, 
found in the southern and central portions of Greenland, and extending high up 
Smith's Sound. It is sometimes seen during the seal hunting season hundreds of 
miles from land, on the frozen sea, where it has wandered to feast on the dead 
seals. 

It is usually stated that the color of the skin of this animal varies with the 
season — that in summer it is of a blue-grey color, while in winter it is perfectly 
white; these colors, of course, serving as a protection to the animal; the blue har- 
monizes well with the rocky shore and the thick, dark ice, while the winter coat is 
perfectly undistinguishable on the snow with which the ground is then thickly 
strewn. 

An interesting account of the manners and customs of this pretty little animal 
is given by Sir J. Richardson, who says : 

" The Arctic fox is an extremely cleanly animal, being very careful not to dirt 
those places in which he eats or sleeps. No unpleasant smell is to be perceived, 
even in a male, which is a remarkable circumstance. To come unawares on one of 
these creatures is, in my opinion, impossible , for even when in an apparently sound 
sleep, they Open their eyes at the slightest noise which is made near them, although 
they pay no attention to sounds when at a short distance. The general time of 
rest is during the daylight, in which they appear listless and inactive; but the 
night no sooner sets in than all their faculties are awakened ; they commence their 
gambols, and continue in unceasing and rapid motion until the morning. While 



THE ARCTIC FOX. 



297 



hunting for food, they are mute, but when in captivity or irritated, they utter a 
short growl, like that of a young puppy. It is a singular fact that their bark is so 
undulated as to give an idea that the animal is at a distance, although at the very 
moment he lies at your feet. Although the rage of a newly caught fox is quite 
ungovernable, yet it very rarely happened that on two being put together they 
quarreled. A confinement of a few hours often sufficed to quiet these creatures; 
and some instances occurred of their being perfectly tame, although timid, from 





THE ARCTIC FOX. 

the first moment ot their captivity. On the other hand, there were some which, 
after months of coaxing, never became more tractable. These, we supposed, were 
old ones. 

" Their first impulse on receiving food is to hide it as soon as possible, even 
though suffering from hunger, and having no fellow prisoners of whose honesty 
they are doubtful. In this case snow is of great assistance, as being easily piled 
over their stores, and then forcibly pressed down by the nose. I frequently 
observed my dog-fox, when no snow was attainable, gather his chain into his 
mouth, and in that manner carefully coil it so as to hide the meat. On moving 
away, satisfied with his operations, he of course had drawn it after him again, and 



298 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 

sometimes with great patience repeated his labors five or six times, until in a pas- 
sion he has been constrained to eat his food without its having been rendered lus- 
cious by previous concealment. Snow is the substitute for water to these creatures, 
and on a large lump being given lo them, they break it in pieces with their feet, 
and roll on it with great delight. When the snow was slightly scattered on the 
decks, they did not lick it up, as dogs are accustomed to do, but by repeatedly 
pressing with their nose collected small lumps at its extremity, and then drew it 
into the mouth with the assistance of the tongue." In another passage, Captain 
Lyon, alluding to the above mentioned dog-fox, says, " He was small and not per- 
fectly white ; but his tameness was so remarkable that I could not afford to kill 
him, but confined him on deck in a small hutch with a scope of chain. The little 
animal astonished us very much by his extraordinary sagacity ; for, during the 
first dav, findiug himself much tormented by being drawn out repeatedly by his 
chain, he at length, whenever he retreated to his hut, took this carefully up in his 
mouth, and drew it so completely after him that no one who valued his fingers 
would endeavor to take hold of the end attached to the staple." 

The skins of both the white and the blue fox are important articles of com- 
merce, but the blue variety, being much rarer than the white, is far more valuable, 
the price for it being six or seven times as much as that of the white. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

THE BEAR FAMILY. 

We now come to the last group of Carnivora, and to a family which forms an 
extreme limit to the long series of which the dogs constitute the center, and the 
cats the opposite end. The bears, with which we have now to do, deDart as widely 
from the dogs in one direction as the cats in the other ; and their distance from the 
latter family is great indeed. The cats attain the perfection of quadrupedal form, 
while few animals are more clumsy and awkward looking than a Sloth bear. Cats 
walk, with an elegant and silent tread, on the very tips of their toes ; bears shuffle 
along with a waddling, though often rapid gait, and with the whole sole of both 
fore and hind feet applied to the ground. Cats have a clean-cut, rounded face, 
with beautifully chiseled nostrils and thin lips; bears a long snout, almost like a 
pig's. The fur of cats is usually short, and brilliantly colored ; that of bears long, 
shaggy and somber. Lastly, while the cats are almost exclusively flesh-eaters, 
many bears are strict vegetarians, or at most eat such matters as ants and honey, 
and only have recourse to meat when their favorite food cannot be had. 

THE BROWN BEAR is the most common member of the whole family, 
and has been known from very early periods. It is found in many parts of Europe, 
and in a part of the Arctic regions of North America. 

The Brown Bear is an awkward looking brute, with sprawling gait, heavy 
body, and no tail to speak of. It is about six feet long, and from about three or 
three and a half feet high at the shoulder. Its fur is longish, rather woolly, and 
of a dark brown hue. It lives a solitary life, and, like many of its kin, has the 
curious habit of hibernating. During the summer, when food is abundant, it lays 
in a very large stock of provisions, thereby becoming immensely fat. This opera, 
tion being satisfactorily performed by the beginning of winter, the bear, finding 
that his foraging operations become more and more arduous, seeks out a resting 
place, such as a hollow tree or a cavern, or if these are not to be had makes a sort 
of rude nest for himself of branches and moss, and then goes into winter quarters 
and calmly settles down for a post-prandial slumber, which lasts until spring. He 
then emerges from his hiding place, very thin and weak — altogether a mere ghost 
of his former self — and immediately sets about repairing his losses by as many 

299 



300 J HE LAND CARNIVORA. 

hearty meals as he can possibly era n into the time at his disposal, or as the means 
at his command will allow. 

The bear feeds chiefly on roots, berries, and other vegetables; it has also a 
fondness for ants, and a perfect passion for honey, in the capture of which he is 
often severely stung about the nose — almost his only vulnerable part — by the 
infuriated inhabitants of the comb. He also preys upon small quadrupeds, and 
sometimes — especially when fully adult — on larger ones. He is occasionally bold 
enough to attack the bull, but is, as often as not, worsted in the encounter. He 
rarely attacks man, unless provoked, and then, when his blood is up, is a most 
dangerous antagonist. His mode of attack is peculiarly his own. He does not 
fell his victim with a blow of his paw, like one of the larger cats, or seize it at 
once with his teeth like a dog, but " gives it the hug " — embraces it tightly, and 
with a great show of affection, with its powerful fore limbs, and continues the 
squeeze until the wretched animal is suffocated. The female bear, especially when 
her family is about, is a particularly ferocious creature. Her savageness is, indeed, 
proverbial; she is devoted to her cubs, and any one threatening their safety does 
so at his Own peril. The bear is not only an affectionate mother, but is capable 
of a very firm friendship, as the following anecdote, related by Mr. Andersson, 
shows. He tells us that, amongst a collection of animals he possessed " were two 
brown bears— twins — somewhat more than a year old, and playful as kittens 
when together. Indeed, no greater punishment could be inflicted upon these 
beasts than to disunite them, for however short a time. Still, there was a marked 
contrast in their dispositions ; one of them was good tempered and gentle as a 
lamb, while the other frequently exhibited signs of a sulky and treacherous char- 
acter. Tempted by an offer for the purchase of the former of these animals, I 
consented, after much hesitation, to his being separated from his brother. 

" It was long before I forgave myself this act. On the following day, on my 
proceeding, as usual, to inspect the collection, one of the keepers ran up to me, in 
the greatest haste, exclaiming, ' Sir, I am glad you are come, for your bear has 
gone mad ! " He then told me that during the night the beast had destroyed his 
den, and was found in the morning roaming wild about the garden. Luckily, the 
keeper managed to seize him just as he was escaping into the country, and, with 
the help of several others, succeeded in shutting him up again. The bear, hpw- 
ever, refused his food, and raved in so fearful a manner that, unless he could be 
quieted, it was clear he would do mischief. 

"On my arrival at his den, I found the poor brute in a most furious state, 
tearing the wooden floors with his claws, and gnawing the barricaded front with 
his teeth. I had no sooner opened the door than he sprang furiously at me, and 
struck me repeated blows with his powerful paws. As, however, I had reared 
him from a cub, we had too often measured our strength together for me to fear 
him now; and I soon made him retreat into the corner of his prison, where he 
remained howling in the most heartrending manner. It was a most sickening 



302 



THE LAND CARNIVORA. 



sight to behold the poor creature, with his 
eyes bloodshot and protruding from the sock- 
efs, his mouth and chest white with foam, 
and his body crusted with dirt. I am not 
ashamed to confess that at one time I felt my 
own eyes moistened. Neither blows nor kind 
words were of any effect ; they only served 
to irritate and infuriate him ; and I saw 
clearly that the only remedy would be either 
to shoot him or to restore him to his 
brother's companionship. I chose the latter 
-•alternative; and the purchaser of the other 
bear, on being informed of the circumstance, 
consented to take this one also." 

A more curious case is related by Brehm, 
who tells us of a little boy who crept one 
night for warmth and shelter into the cage of 
an extremely savage bear. The latter, instead 
of devouring the child, took him under its 
protection, kept him warm with the heat of 
its body, and allowed him to return every 
night to its cage. The poor boy soon died 

of smallpox, and the bear from henceforth refused all food, and soon followed 

its little protege to the grave. 




BLACK BEAR. 



THE BLACK BEAR. This animal is distinguished from the common 
brown bear, not only by its black fur, but by its slender snout, more convex 
forehead, and smaller size; it rarely exceeds five feet in length. Its habits are 
more strictly vegetarian than those of the brown kind. " Its favorite food 
appears to be berries of various kinds, but when these are not to be procured, it 
preys upon roots, insects, fish, eggs, and such birds or quadrupeds as it can sur- 
prise. It does not eat animal food from choice; for when it has abundance of its 
favorite vegetable diet, it will pass the carcass of a deer without touching it." 

It usually hibernates — at any rate, when able to obtain a sufficiently plentiful 
meal, or rather series of meals, before the commencement of winter. Sometimes, 
however, when food is scarce, bears will roam about the whole winter, never being 
able to obtain a sufficiently good feed to warrant their going, with any safety or 
comfort, into permanent winter quarters. With regard to the hibernating bears a 
very remarkable fact is mentioned by Sir J. Richardson, who is a most cautious 
and accurate writer, namely, that when the bear "comes abroad in the spring it is 
equally fat" (as it was at the commencement of winter), "though in a few days 
thereafter it becomes very lean." 



BLACK BEAR— GRIZZLY BEAR. 



303 



The Indians have an unbounded reverence for the bear. When they kill one, 
they make exculpatory speeches to it, give it tobacco to smoke, call it their rela- 
tion, grandmother, etc., and try in every possible way to appease its manes. They 
then cook and eat it with great gusto. 







the grizzly bear. {One-eighteenth natural size.) 



THE GRIZZLY BEAR. This animal, which inhabits the region of the 
Rocky Mountains as far south as Mexico, is the most savage member of the whole 
family, and is more dreaded by Indian and Canadian trappers than any other. It 
is stated to attain a length of nine feet and a weight of eight hundred pounds, so 
that it greatly exceeds the Brown and Black bears in size, and approaches in these 
respects to the Polar bear. Its strength is enormous. " It has been known to 
drag to a considerable distance the carcass of a buffalo, weighing about one 



304 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 

thousand pounds.'' Its size and strength, its immense teeth and claws, its tenacity 
of life and ferocious determination, render it a terrible antagonist to the bravest 
and coolest sportsman. 

The grizzly bear varies in color; some specimens are of a dull brown, flecked 
with gray, while others are of a steely-gray ; but the grizzled hairs are always con- 
spicuous. The length of a full-grown male is about eight and one-half feet, and 
the girth the same, while the weight is about eight hundred pounds. The fore 
limbs are very powerful, the feet measuring eighteen inches, and the claws five 
inches; these claws are very sharp, and cut like chisels; the head is large, the tail 
very short and quite hidden in the fur. The gait of the grizzly is awkward and 
rolling; when young it can climb trees ; fortunately, however, as it increases in 
size and weight, it loses this power, its claws being unable to sustain its unwieldy 
bulk. 

The grizzly is the king of all our animals, and can destroy by blows from his 
armed paws even the powerful bison of the plains; wolves will not even touch the 
carcass of this dreaded monster, and it is said, stand in such awe, that they refrain 
from molesting deer that he has slain. Horses also require careful training before 
they can be taught to allow its hi'de to be placed on their backs. 

Terrible stories are told of encounters with grizzlies. General Dodge says 
one of the most complete wrecks of humanity he ever witnessed was a huntsman 
for a party of California miners. He suddenly, one day, came face to face with a 
grizzly ; the bear stood up on its hind legs, the man presented his rifle, and stood 
waiting the attack. The bear advanced, and took the muzzle of the rifle in its 
mouth; the man fired, and before he had time to think, was in the bear's clutches. 
" It was all over in a second," the narrator stated ; "I didrit feel any pain, and I 
didn't know anything more till I come to next day." His companions found the 
man and the bear together, the latter dead with a bullet in the brain ; the man had 
received only one stroke from each paw. One forepaw had passed over the 
shoulder, and a claw had hooked under the shoulder blade and torn it out entirely; 
the other forepaw tore all the flesh from the left side ; a hind claw had torn open 
the abdomen, letting out the bowels, while the remaining hind paw had torn away 
the muscle of the right leg from groin to knee. The man recovered, and when he 
described the fight to the General, added, "Anybody can fight bear that wants to ; 
I've had enough grizzly." 

THE MALAYAN BEAR is found in the Malayan Peninsula, and in the 
adjacent islands of Borneo, Sumatra, and Java. "The fur is black, becoming 
brownish on the nose, and the chest is marked with a crescentic white mark, or in 
the Bornean variety of the species, by a heart-shaped, orange-colored patch. The 
claws are remarkably long. It lives chiefly on fruits and roots, apricots, walnuts, 
apples, currants, etc., and in winter chiefly feeds on various acorns, climbing the 
oak trees and breaking down the branches. * * * They are very fond of honey. 




^be Re 






I! 



THE MALA YAN BEAR. 



305 



, w and then they W U. W ^^^T^S^ "pP™^ 




THE MALAYAN SUN BEAR." (0»«tatf/* »«"'™ / "^ 

but ta g e„e ral ,t tries to escape. ]£•**££ J^JS^K 



306 



THE LAND CARNIVORA. 



it always makes for the face, sometimes taking off most of the hairy scalp, and 
frightfully disfiguring the unfortunate sufferer. There are few villages in the 
interior where one or more individuals thus mutilated are not to be met with." 

The Sun Bears are distinguished in menageries for their gift of walking about 
on their hind legs, which they do in a curiously human manner. This mode of 
progression seems sometimes to be adopted in the wild state. Both species are 
noticeable in their state of captivity for the antics they perform. The Himalayan 




the sloth bear. {One-fourteenth natural size) 

bears play with one another like two awkward boys, stand on their hind legs to 
wrestle, then fall down, and roll over and over, biting and hugging in the most 
laughable manner. The Malayan bear is even more amusing. When the keeper 
gives it one of the hard biscuits on which it is fed, it will sometimes lie down on 
its back, and hold the biscuit now with its fore paws, now with both fore and hind 
paws, swaying about all the time, and expressing its satisfaction by the most comi- 
cal noises. 



THE SLOTH BEAR. This curious and ungainly looking beast is another 
of: the Indian bears, being found " throughout India and Ceylon, from Cape 




POLAR BEAR AND WALRUS. 



308 THE LAND CAR Nil OR A. 

Comorin to the Ganges." It is distinguished by its extremely awkward shape, its 
long, shaggy hair, its long and very flexible snout and lower lip, all of which 
peculiarities combine to give it a remarkable and anything but a prepossessing 
appearance. The fur is mostly black, the muzzle and the tips of the feet being of a 
dirty white or a yellowish color, and the breast ornamented with a V-shaped or 
crescentic mark. It attains a length of between five and six feet. 

The Sloth bear feeds on ants, honey, fruit, etc. "The power of suction in the 
bear, as well as of propelling wind from its mouth, is very great. It is by this 
means enabled to procure its common food of white anrs and larvae with ease. On 
arriving at an ant-hill, the bear scrapes away with the fore feet until he reaches the 
large combs at the bottom of the galleries. He then, with violent puffs, dissipates 
the dust and crumbled parts of the nest, and sucks out the inhabitants of the comb 
by such forcible inhalations as to be heard at two hundred yards' distance, or 
more. Large larvae are in this way sucked out from great depths under the soil. 
When bears abound their vicinity may be readily known by numbers of these 
uprooted ants' nests and excavations, in which the marks of their claws are plainly 
visible. They occasionally rob birds' nests, and devour the eggs." The capture 
of ants is, however, by no means always devoid of inconvenient consequences for 
the ursine ravisher. The insects are as brave and ferocious as they are indus- 
trious, and their strong, sharp mandibles are capable of making a considerable 
impression upon the snout, lips, and eyelids of their huge enemy. 

Like the Sun bear, the Sloth bear rarely attacks man unless provoked, but like 
it, is, when attacked, a most dangerous antagonist, always making lor the face, and 
especially the eyes. Both in Ceylon and in India the natives have a very whole- 
some dread of the animal, and, indeed, fear his onslaught more than that of any 
other beast. 

THE POLAR BEAR. The great white bear of the Arctic regions is the 
largest as well as one of the best known of the whole family. It is a gigantic ani- 
mal, often attaining the length of nearly nine feet, and is proportionally strong and 
fierce. It is found over the whole of Greenland ; but its numbers seem to be on 
the decrease. It is distinguished from other bears by its narrow head, its flat fore- 
head in a line with the prolonged muzzle, its short ears, and long neck. " It is of a 
light creamy color, rarely pure white, except when young ; hence the Scottish 
whalers call it the 'brounie,' or 'brownie,' and sometimes 'the farmer,' from its very 
agricultural appearance as it stalks leisurely over the furrowed fields of ice. Its 
principal food consists of seals, which it persecutes most indefatigably; but it is 
somewhat omnivorous in its diet, and will often clear an islet of eider duck eggs 
in the course of a few hours. I have seen it watch a seal for half a day, the seal 
continually escaping, just as the bear was about putting its foot on it, at the atliik 
(or escape hole) in the ice. Finally, it tried to circumvent its prey in another man- 
ner. It swam off to a distance, and when the seal ws again half asleep at its 



THE POLAR BEAR. 



309 



atluk, the bear swam under the ice, with a view to cut off its retreat. It failed, 
however, and the seal finally escaped. The rage of the animal was boundless; it 
roared hideously, tossing the snow in the air, and trotted off in a most indignant 
state of mind." 




INTERIOR OF BEAR HOLE. 



Being so fond of seal flesh, the polar bear often proves a great nuisance to 
seal hunters, whose occupation he naturally regards as a thoughtful catering for 
his wants. He is also glad of the whale carcasses often found floating in the Arc- 
tic seas ; and travelers have seen as many as twenty bears busily discussing the 
huge body of a dead whalebone whale. 



310 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 

As the polar bear is able to obtain food all through the Arctic winter, there is 
not the same necessity, as in the case of the vegetable-eating bears, for hibernating. 
In fact, the males and young females roam about through the whole winter, and 
only the older females retire for the season. These — according to the Eskimo 
account, quoted by Captain Lyon — are very fat at the commencement of winter, 
and on the first fall of snow they lie down and allow themselves to be covered, or 
else dig a cave in a drift, and then go to sleep until the spring, when the cubs are 
born. By this time the animal's heat has melted the snow for a considerable dis- 
tance, so that there is plenty of room for the young ones, who tumble about at 
their ease, and get fat at the expense of their parent, who, after her long abstinence, 
becomes very thin and weak. The whole family leave their abode of snow when 
the sun is strong enough to partially melt its roof. 

The flesh of the polar bear is sometimes eaten by the Eskimo, but parts of it 
are said to be poisonous; this is especially the case with the liver. Scoresby 
relates that sailors who have incautiously partaken of the latter have been made 
very ill, and have died from its effects; and Kane, who wished to try for himself 
the truth of the statement, was upset by the first taste. The fat of this bear is 
used for burning; it has not the disagreeable smell of train oil. 

THE RACCOON FAMILY. 

This is a small family of curious bear-like animals, of small size, and differing 
a good deal in external appearance, although agreeing closely in all essential par- 
ticulars. The four genera of the Raccoon family are found only in the New 
World ; their northern limit is British Columbia, while southward they reach to 
Paraguay in the central part of South America. 

THE RACCOON. Every visitor to any zoological gardens must have been 
struck with the curious habits of this animal. If any one gives it a bit of bun or 
biscuit, the Raccoon holds out both its hands for the morsel, and takes it almost as 
deftly as a monkey; it then waddles off to the little pond in the middle of its cage, 
dips its prize in the water, and when it is well soaked, proceeds to devour it. 
Except in the case of meat, which the raccoon seems to consider moist enough, the 
food always has to undergo this soaking process before it is thought to be fit to 
eat. It is from this habit that the raccoon derives its specific name of lotor, "the 
washer." 

The raccoon is a decidedly handsome animal, about the size of a large and 
very corpulent cat. The hair is of a brown or grizzled color, long and furry, the 
tail bushy and beautifully ringed. Its body is large and somewhat unwieldy, its 
legs short, and its feet armed with strong claws, suitable for burrowing or climb- 
ing. The head is large, the cheeks prominent and black, and the snout sharp, 
light colored, and somewhat upturned — "tip-tilted, like the petal of a flower" — 



THE RACCOON. 



311 



giving the animal a curious inquisitive look, which is quite borne out by its char- 
acter. It investigates every object within reach, animate or inanimate ; the latter, 
if portable, it is fond of carrying off and carefully washing. 

In the matter of diet it is omnivorous, and seems almost equally fond of meat, 
insects, fruit, or bread. It is said also to catch and eat oysters and crabs, and to 
confine itself, in the case of the birds it catches, to the brain and blood. It is a 
decidedly cunning animal, and in captivity, when allowed a certain amount of 
liberty, shows great talent in stealing fruit and killing fowlsi When eating, it very 
usually sits up on its haunches, and holds the food with both fore paws. 

The skin of the raccoon forms a valuable fur, and the animal is, consequently, 
much sought after throughout the whole of its range, which extends over a con- 
siderable portion of North America. It is usually caught in traps, but is also 
hunted by dogs. The hunt takes place at night, by the light of torches. The 
raccoon is pursued until he takes refuge up a tree, when the dogs form a circle 
round the trunk, and an experienced climber swarms up to the animal's refuge, 
pursues him to the end of a branch, and then, by shaking the branch, makes him 
fall to the ground, when the dogs have another turn. So active is the raccoon, 
and so dangerous when roused, that this operation often has to be repeated two or 
three times before he is finally caught. 

The crab-eating raccoon is a South American species, differing from the fore- 
going chiefly in the shortness of its fur, and its consequently slender shape. It is 
a far less handsome ani- 
mal than its North Amer- 
ican relative, which it 
resembles very closely 
both in structure and in 
habits. 



THE COATI. The 

Coati is an animal of far 
less attractive appear- 
ance than the raccoon. 
The body is proportion- 
ally longer, the limbs 
are short, and the snout 
of a remarkable length, 
and very pig-like; in 
fact, the head of a coati 
reminds one strongly of 




iehth natural sizt 



the raccoon. (Oue-eig/it/i natural size.) 

that of a small dark colored pig pulled out until the muzzle was two or three 
its ordinary length. The snout is, moreover, very flexible, and the animal 
petually turns it about in various directions in a highly inquisitive way. The 



per- 
body 



312 



THE LAND CARNIVORA. 




the panda. {Three-fourths natural size.) 

is somewhat over half a yard in length, the tail a little shorter. The fur is short 
and of a reddish or greyish-brown color, the muzzle and feet are black, the tail 
ringed with black and brownish yellow. Like the raccoon, it feeds upon fruits, 
insects, small birds, etc., and like it, is a good climber. In captivity they are in a 
constant state of activity, trotting about from one end of the cage to another, 
climbing over the tree-trunk placed in their prison, and turning their queer-looking 
snouts about ceaselessly. The geographical range of the Coati extends from 
Mexico in the north to Paraguay in the south. 

THE PANDA is a really beautiful creature, rich red chestnut in color on the 
upper surface, jet black as to the lower surface, the limbs also black, the snout and 
the inside of the ears white, the tail bushy, reddish brown in color, and indistinctly 
ringed. The fact of the under surface being black while the upper is bright 
reddish-yellow is remarkable ; with most animals, when there is any difference in 
color, it is the under surface which is lighter. The body and head are about half 
a yard long, the tail about a foot. The mode of progression is plantigrade, and 
the large curved claws are half retractile. The main anatomical characters are 



THE GLUTTON. 



313 



decidedly ursine, as also are the habits. Mr. Bartlett, who has studied the Panda 
in captivity, states that, when drinking, it sucks up the fluid like a bear, instead of 
licking it up as a dog or cat would do. When offended it would rush at Mr. 
Bartlett, and strike at him with both feet, the body being raised like a bear's and 
the claws projecting. It also, when angry, made a sharp, spitting noise ; and at 
other times it used a " weak squeaking call-note." It runs on level ground, in the 
same manner as the weasel and otter, with a sort of jumping gallop, the back being 
kept much arched. 

The panda is found in the forests of the Eastern Himalayas, as well as in 
Eastern Tibet. It is sometimes known as the Wah, or the Red Bear-Cat. 




THE GLUTTON. 



THE WEASEL FAMILY. This family, including the weasels, martens,, 
skunks, gluttons, otters, badgers, etc., is the most heterogeneous assemblage of all 
the carnivorous group. Its members have a very wide geographical distribution, 
being found in all parts of the world, except the West Indies, Madagascar, and the 
Australian region. They differ very much among themselves, but have, nevertheless, 
certain important characters in common. Many of these animals are looked upon 
as " vermin," but among them are some of the most valuable of the fur-producing 
animals, the ermine, sable, mink, and marten. These are all inhabitants of the 



314 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 

Northern hemisphere, and the business of trapping them is a very important branch 
of industry. 

THE GLUTTON or wolverine, the largest of the weasel group, is found over 
the greater part of the northern regions, both of the Old and New Worlds, being 
especially abundant in Siberia and Kamstchatka. It attains a length of some three 
feet, four inches, ten inches of which go to the tail. It has a dog-like snout, a broad 
or rounded head, short ears, an arched back, a short, bushy tail, and long, dark 
brown or almost black fur. A band of pale reddish-brown runs along the sides, 
and unites with the corresponding band of the opposite side on the rump. 

Besides its great strength, the wolverine is noted for its excessive cunning, and 
the two qualities combined give it a power of destructiveness of which one would 
hardly expect any animal below a schoolboy to be capable. One of its favorite 
tricks is to frequent the " Marten-roads"— that is, the lines of traps for catching 
martens — and one by one to demolish the traps, and carry off either the bait or the 
imprisoned animal. To make matters worse for the unlucky trapper, the glutton's 
experience and knowledge of traps in general is so great that he shows equal skill 
in avoiding those set for his own benefit, as in despoiling those meant for others; 
either he takes no notice of them, or carefully pulls them to pieces, and so gets the 
bait and outwits the hunter, without danger to himself. It is only in a trap con- 
structed with the greatest care, and disguised so as to resemble a "cache," or store 
of hidden food, that the wary beast can be caught. Mr. Lockhart gives some 
really charming instances of his own experience in trying to get the better of his 
inveterate enemy. In one case he had carefully buried a lynx's skin in tne snow, 
to the depth of some three feet; the snow was arranged so as to present a per- 
fectly undisturbed appearance, and the lynx's entrails and blood were strewed 
about, and its carcass left, so as to take off the scent. On returning next morning 
to his beautifully made " cache," he found the carcass, etc., gone, but everything 
else apparently as he had left it. His joy was great, but premature; for on 
digging, no skin was to be found ; the wolverine had stolen it during the night, 
but had added insult to injury by filling up the hole, and putting everything in 
statu quo. 

One very extraordinary habit of the wolverine is shared by very few animals 
except man. It is stated that when it meets a man it will often, if it be to wind- 
ward, approach within fifty or sixty yards, and then sitting calmly down on its 
haunches, will shade its eyes with one fore-paw, and gaze earnestly at its enemy. 
This very human action it will often repeat two or three times before attempting 
to flee. 

THE MARTEN. The Pine Marten is perhaps the most pleasing of the 
weasel group, as far as appearance is concerned. Its long, lithe body attains a 
length of over half a yard; its tail is about a foot in length. The legs are short, 



THE MARTEN— AMERICAN SABLE. 



315 



though not nearly so short as in the weasel's, and its paws are armed with short 
claws. The snout is sharp and beset at the sides with long vibrissas. The skin is 
very beautiful, dark brown for the most part, lighter on the cheeks and snout, and 
on the throat and under side of the neck a light yellow. 

The Pine Marten occurs over a considerable portion of Europe and Asia, and 
amongst other places in our own country, where, however, it is becoming rare. 
The finest specimens are said to come from Sweden. 




THE SABLE. 



{One- fourth natural size.) 



This animal is essentially arboreal in its habits, inhabiting chiefly thick co- 
niferous woods, whence its name of Pine Marten is derived. In the branches the 
female makes a nest of leaves or moss, and sometimes saves herself this trouble by 
ejecting squirrels or woodpeckers, and occupying the vacant dwellings. For its 
size it is, like all the Mustelidce, extremely ferocious and strong. It attacks and kills 
fawns, notwitstanding their superior size ; from these down to mice, nothing comes 
amiss to it, and nothing: is safe from its attack. 



THE AMERICAN SABLE, often called the marten, attains a length of 
eighteen inches, not including- the tail, which measures about a foot more. Its 



316 



THE LAND CARNIVORA. 



capture gives the trapper his staple occupation. It "is ordinarily captured in 
wooden traps of very simple construction made on the spot. The traps are a little 
inclosure of stakes or brush, in which the bait is placed upon a trigger, with a 
short upright stick, supporting a log of wood. The animal is shut off from the 
bait in any but the desired direction, and the log falls upon its victim with the 
slightest disturbance. A line of such traps, several to the mile, often extends many 
miles. The bait is any kind of meat, squirrel, piece of flesh, or bird's head. One 
of the greatest obstacles that the sable hunter has to contend with in many 
localities is the persistent destruction of his traps by the wolverine and pekan. * 
* * I have accounts from Hudson's Bay trappers of a sable road fifty miles long, 
containing 150 traps, every one of which was destroyed through the whole line 
twice — once by a wolf, once by the wolverine. When thirty miles of the same 
road were given up, the remaining forty traps were broken five or six times in 
succession bv the latter animal." 



THE WEASEL, iike the remaining members of the genus, are very often 
called "vermiform," and a better name could scarcely be applied to them, for any- 
thing more worm like could hardly be imagined in a hairy quadruped. The legs 
are extremely short in relation to the body, which is attenuated in the highest 
degree, and almost regularly cylindrical from one end to the other. Then the 
neck is of most disproportionate length, and carries the head out so far, that the 
fore legs appear as if placed quite at the hind end of the chest, instead of in the 
front of it. The head passes almost insensibly into the neck, and the neck into the 
body. The head is flattened, and bears little glittering savage-looking eyes, and 
small rounded ears. The length from snout to root of tail does not exceed eight 
inches. The tail is about two inches long. The fur is light reddish brown above, 
and white below ; in northern latitudes the brown parts assume a much lighter 
color in winter, so that the weasel undergoes a change of coat similar to, but less 

extensive than, that undergone 
by the ermine. 

The weasel is a good 

climber, and makes use of his 

skill in this accomplishment 

to prey upon birds, their eggs, 

and young. Rats and mice 

are, perhaps, its staple food. 

Of these it makes great havoc, 

[.and is therefore a useful 

/^hanger-on to the farmyard, 

111 IK notwithstanding- its occasional 

Jlllf ' depredations in the hen-roost. 

the weasel. When it catches a mouse or 




THE WEASEL— THE POLE CAT. 



317 




the pole cat. {One-sixth natural size.) 



THE FERRET. 



W"^' 



{One-eighth natural size.) 



rat, it gives it one bite on the back of the head, piercing- the most vulnerable part 
of the brain, and killing it instantly- Professor Thomas Bell says: "I have 
observed that when a weasel seizes a small animal, at the instant that the fatal 
bite is inflicted, it throws its long, lithe body over its prey, so as to secure it. 
should the first bite fail, an accident, however, which I have never observed 
when a mouse has been the victim. The power which the weasel has of bending 
the head at right angles with the long and flexible, though powerful neck, gives it 
a great advantage in this mode of seizing and killing its smaller prey." The first 
part eaten is usually the brain. The stories of the weasel's blood-sucking propen- 
sities are probably false, or at any rate grossly exaggerated. 

The weasel will pursue its prey over fields, in trees, in subterranean burrows, 
or across water. Like many of the wild cats, it kills far more than is necessary for 
its support, and in pursuance of its favorite occupation of slaughter shows an 
unequaled courage and pertinacity. Its power of keeping its presence of mind 
under very trying circumstances is well shown in the following anecdote related 
by Bell : A gentleman, "while riding over his grounds, saw at a short distance 
from him a kite pounce on some object on the ground, and rise with it in his talons. 
In a few moments, however, the kite began to show signs of great uneasiness, 
rising rapidly in the air, or as quickly falling, and wheeling irregularly round, 
while it was evidently endeavoring to force some obnoxious thing from it with its 



318 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 



feet. After a sharp but short contest, the kite fell suddenly to the earth, not far 
from where Mr. Pindar was intently watching the manoeuvre. He instantly rode 
up to the spot, when a weasel ran away from the kite, apparently unhurt, leaving 
the bird dead, with a hole eaten through the skin under the wing, and the large 
bloodvessels of the part cut through." 

THE POLE CAT. In form this animal does not differ very markedly from 
the marten, except for the fact that its head is broader, its snout blunter, and its 
tail very much shorter; the latter being about five and a half inches, while the 
head and body together are nearly a foot and a half long. The neck is consider- 
ably shorter, and the body stouter than in the weasel and stoat. The fur is made 
up of hairs of two kinds, the shorter woolly and of a yellowish color, the longer 
black or brownish black and shining. One of its most marked characters is its 
horrible stench. This is produced, like the scent of the civet, in a pair of glands 
near the root of the tail, which secrete a yellowish creamy substance of the most 
fetid character. 

The polecat is perhaps more destructive than the other Mustelidae, and is cer- 
tainly a far greater plague to the farmer. Its ravages among rabbits, hares, and 
partridges is immense, and if once it gets unobserved into a poultry yard, the fate 
of a very considerable number of the inmates is sealed, as it possesses in a high 
degree the family love of slaughter for slaughter's sake. It has been known to 
kill as many as sixteen turkeys in a single night; and indeed, it seems a point of 
honor with this bloodthirstv little creature to kill everything it can overpower, and 
to leave no survivors on its battlefields. It has, too, an unfortunate liking for 
eggs, as well as for game and poultry, and in this way alone does great harm to 
preserves. There are also many accounts of its fondness for fish. Bell also quotes 
an instance in which a female pole cat was pursued to her nest, and was found to 
have laid up, in a side hole, a store of food, consisting of forty frogs and two toads, 
all of which she had skilfully " pithed," that is, bitten through the brain, so that, 
although retaining a certain amount of vitality, they were effectually prevented 
from running away! 

The pole cat is found throughout Northern Europe, not extending southward 
into the warmer parts of the continent, but being quite at home in snow-covered 
regions. It is essentially, like the marten, a sub-arctic and temperate animal. 

THE FERRET is of African origin. It shows its southern nature by being, 
unlike the pole cat, unable to endure great cold ; even a mild winter is enough 
to kill it if not properly housed. It is an interesting animal, from the fact that it 
is a true breeding albino, having the white fur and pink eyes of that peculiar 
"sport." It is a little smaller than the pole cat, with which it will breed with per. 
feet readiness, producing hybrids intermediate in character between the two parent 
species. 



THE MINK— THE RATEL. 



319 



Ferrets are much used, both in this country and England, chiefly for killing- 
rats and for driving rabbits out ot their burrows. For the latter function the fer- 
ret is muzzled, to prevent its killing the rabbit in the burrow; the latter is either 
netted or killed immediately, as soon as it is driven out. The ferret is also fre- 
quently employed to kill fowls for the table. Its particularly neat method of 
slaughtering by one bite in the neck is much admired by ferret-fanciers, who make 
quite a pet of the animal. It. however, never shows the slightest affection for its 
master, and has usually to be confined. 




THE RATEL. 



THE MINK. This important fur-producing animal is found in the northern 
part of both hemispheres under various specific forms, the most important of 
which are the European mink and the American mink. It shows a certain resem- 
blance to the marten in its larger and stouter body, which attains a length of from 
fifteen to eighteen inches, the tail being about seven or eight inches long, and bushy 
at the tip. Like most of its allies, it has two kinds of fur — "a soft, matted, under 
fur, mixed with long, stiff, lustrous hairs." The color varies from dull yellowish- 
brown to dark chocolate-brown ; the upper lip is usually white in the European, 
dark in the American species. The scent-glands are well developed, and their 
secretion is second only in offensiveness to that of the skunk. 



320 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 

The habits of the mink differ altogether from those of the other species of the 
genus. " It is to the water what the other weasels are to the land, or the martens 
to the trees. It is as essentially aquatic in its habits as the otter, beaver, or musk- 
rat, and spends, perhaps, more of its time in the water than it does on land. In 
adaptation to this mode of life, the pelage has that peculiar glossiness of the longer 
bristly hairs and felting of the close under fur which best resists the water." It 
feeds chiefly upon aquatic or amphibious animals, such as fish, frogs, crayfish, mol- 
lusks, and the like, but also preys largely on the smaller mammals. It is stated 
that it is not an indiscriminate slaughterer, but kills only what is necessary for its 
actual wants. 

THE RATEL. This animal, sometimes known as the Honey Badger, is one 
of the exceptional animals whose color is lighter above than below. Its stiff, wiry 
hair is ashy-grey on the upper surface, while on the under surface, the muzzle, 
limbs, and tail are black. The line of demarcation between the grey and black is 
so sharp, that the animal has the appearance of being really black, but covered, as 
to its back, with a grey cloak. It is about three-quarters of a yard long, the tail 
taking up about a sixth of the length. In the matter of teeth it is interesting, as 
its molars are reduced to one on each side in each jaw ; a reduction equal to that 
found in the cats. It is said to live largely on bees, and to show a great amount of 
skill in tracking to their nest the insects which it observes on the wing. Sparrman 
states that it seats itself on a hillock to look out for the bees, and shades its eyes 
with one fore paw against the rays of the setting sun. It is a stupid animal, very 
sleepy during the day, and issuing from its burrows at sunset to seek for the birds, 
tortoises, insects and worms on which it feeds. It is very tenacious of life, and is 
well protected from attacks by the thickness and looseness of its skin, and the 
thick subcutaneous layer of fat. It also possesses an additional means, if not of 
defense, at least of offense, in its tail glands, the secretion of which is very strong, 
and pungent as to its odor. It is still further advantaged by its burrowing powers; 
it will scratch up a hole and disappear into it in an incredibly short space of time. 

The ratels in captivity exhibit a remarkable peculiarity. We have often 
watched onex»f them run round and round his cage in the usual purposeless man- 
ner of captive animals, but with this peculiarity — when he reached a particular 
corner of the den, he quietly and without effort, turned over head and heels, and 
then went on again. On one occasion, after he had been doing this with great 
regularity for some rounds, he seemed to become abstracted, and passed the usual 
spot without the somersault. When, however, he had proceeded a few paces, he 
recollected himself, stopped for a moment, returned to the exact place, turned over 
as usual, and proceeded on his way. 

THE EUROPEAN BADGER is a heavy and somewhat clumsy animal, long 
and stout-bodied, and short-legged, with a tapering and mobile snout, and a short, 




ihe badger. (One-fifth natural size!) 



322 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 

scrubby tail. The long- hair is of three colors, black, white and reddish, the 
mingling of the three producing a varying grey hue. The head is white, except 
for a black band on each side, which commences a little behind the nose, and 
extends backward, including the eye and ear, the tip of the latter being, however, 
white. The lower parts of the body and the legs are black, the tail grey. The 
length of the body from snout to root of tail is about two feet three inches ; that of 
the tail, seven inches and a half. 

It is fond of retired places, such as sheltered woods, and in them it makes for 
itself a large burrow of earth " which has but a single entrance from without, but 
afterward divides into different chambers, and terminates in a round apartment at 
the bottom, which is well lined with dry grass and hay." The badger is conse- 
quently a very skillful digger, and for this purpose is possessed of strong curved 
claws. Its diet is completely mixed ; it eats roots, fruit, eggs, small mammals, 
frogs, insects, etc. It is quite susceptible of domestication, and is said to show a 
vast amount of affection and good temper. As to its habits, we cannot do' better 
than to quote an excellent account of some half-domesticated badgers given by Mr. 
Alfred Ellis : "About ten years since, the badger was established here, but it was 
not until the third attempt that my efforts prospered. The badgers then intro- 
duced, or their successors, have bred every year, and as not more than one pair 
remain in permanent occupation it is probable that there are many more of these 
animals-in this country than is generally supposed ; but their shyness, their color, 
and the short time they require to obtain their food, and the recesses of the woods 
in which they delight to dwell, make it no easy task to study their life and habits. 
The deep earth in which our badgers live is only fifty yards from the window at 
which I write. The building of this house two years ago did not disturb them, 
and they have shown an increasing confidence and trust. The badger breeds later 
than the fox, and it was the middle of March this year before the preparations for 
the coming family were made. These consisted in cleaning out the winter bed, 
and replacing it by a quantity of dry fern and grass, so great that it would seem 
impossible the earth could receive it. In June the first young badger appeared at 
the mouth of the earth, and was soon followed by three others, and then by their 
mother. After this, they continued to show every evening, and soon learned to 
take the food prepared for them The young are now almost full grown, and, for- 
getting their natural timidity, will feed so near that I have placed my hand on 
the back of one of them. The old ones are more wary, but often feed with their 
family, though at a more cautious distance. Their hearing and sense are most 
acute, and it is curious to see them watch, with lifted head and ears erect, then, if 
all is quiet, search the ground for a raisin or a date. But the least strange sight or 
sound alarms them, and they rush headlong to earth with amazing speed. 

"The badger, like the bear, treads upon the whole heel, and its walk closely 
resembles that animal. They caress each other in the same grotesque manner 
while they gambol and play, and at times they utter a cry so loud as to startle any 



THE BADGER. 



323 




evenings we can 
do kind offices for 
after the manner of 
in its habits. Over 
which grows a hori- 
ground. On this 




one ignorant of its source. On fine 
watch them dress their fur-like coats, or 
each other, and search for parasites 
monkeys. No creature is more cleanly 
their earth hangs a birch tree, from 
-zontal bough eighteen inches from the 
they scrape their feet in dirty weather. 
"As the winter approaches, the old 
bedding is replaced by dry fern and 
grass, raked together by their powerful 
claws. This is often left to wither in \ 
little heaps till dry enough for their ; 
purpose. Partially concealed, I have j 
watched a badger gathering fern and j 
using a force in its collection quite sur-| 
prising." 



THE AMERICAN BADCER.jjj 
The distinction between this species 
and the European badger consists chiefly',. — — c?— 
in the shorter and more hairy character 
of the snout, and in the fact that the 
body is of a uniform whitish hue, sometimes shaded with grey or tawny. The 
body and head together are about twenty-four inches long, the tail six inches. It 
is found throughout the greater part of North America. 

In its shyness, its general mode of life, and its habits, it differs but slightly 
from the common badger. Although in many parts it is so numerous that its 
burrows form a very serious obstacle to the traveler, yet it is a comparatively rare 
thing to see a specimen, so immediately does it retire to its strongholds on the first 
intimation of man's approach. It can, however, be trapped without much dif- 
ficulty, and thousands are caught in this way every year. Dr. Coues quotes an 
interesting account of the habits of a captive badger. He says: " In running, his 
fore feet crossed each other, and his body nearly touched the ground. The heel 
did not press on the ground like that of the bear, but was only slightly elevated 
above it. * * * We have never seen any animal that could exceed him in 
digging. He would fall to work with his strong feet and long nails, and in a 
minute bury himself in the earth, and would very soon advance to the end of a 
chain ten feet in length. In digging, the hind as well as the fore feet were at work, 
the latter for the purpose of excavating, and the former (like paddles) for expelling 
the earth out of the hole; and nothing seemed to delight him more than burrow- 
ing in the ground. He seemed never to become weary of this kind of amusement; 
and when he had advanced to the end of his chain he would return and commence 



THE SKUNK. 



324 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 

a fresh gallery near the mouth of his first hole. Thus he would be occupied for 
hours, and it has been necessary to drag him away by main force." 

THE COMMON SKUNK. This notorious American species is a stoutly- 
built animal, with short legs, a long conical head with a truncated snout, and a 
long bushy tail. The general color of the fur is black, or nearly so, but on the 
forehead there is a white streak, and on the neck a white patch, from which two 
broad bands of the same hue proceed backward along the upper surface of the 
body. The length from tip of snout to root of tail is something over a foot: the 
tail itself is less than a foot in length. The general appearance of the animal is 
decidedly badger-like; it has, in fact, a good deal of resemblance. It occurs 
throughout the whole of the temperate portion of North America. 

We have mentioned that several of the weasel family enjoy the distinction ot 
being able to eject a foul smelling fluid from glands at the root of the tail. In this 
accomplishment the skunk is the undoubted chief. It can eject its perfume to 
a considerable distance, and with unerring aim; and the smell ! The "odor of 
mingled guano and pole cat," is simply nothing in comparison with the horrible 
stench emitted by this little animal. It is so durable, that the spot where a skunk 
has been killed will often retain the scent for days, or even weeks ; indeed, 
Audubon relates that at one place where a skunk had been killed in the autumn, 
the odor was quite perceptible in the following spring after the snow had melted. 
Clothes defiled with the secretion cannot be thoroughly cleansed by any ordinary 
means; for even if the scent seems to have disappeared, it will make itself evident 
every time the wearer goes near a fire, or into the sun. Notwithstanding this, 
furriers have found out a way for effectually purifying skunk-skins, which are now 
a good deal used as furs. 

THE COMMON OTTER. We now come to the most thoroughly aquatic 
of the sub-family of otters, animals which, although quite capable of active and 
unembarrassed movement on land, are yet thoroughly at home only in the water. 
In accordance with this mode of life, the toes are webbed, and provided with very 
short claws, and the tail is long, tapering, and flattened, so as to serve the precise 
purpose of the corresponding appendage in a fish. The length of the head and 
body is about two feet, that of the tail, one foot five inches. The fur is of a 
soft brown color, becoming lighter on the under side of the throat and the breast, 
and consists of long, coarse, shining hairs, with a short under fur of fine texture, 
well calculated to preserve equality of temperature as the animal resorts alter- 
nately to land or water. The skull is greatly elongated, and flattened from above 
downward ; the facial part of it is small, as compared with the brain-containing or 
cranial part. The region of the skull between the eyes is very narrow, and its 
floor is wide and thin. In all these points, save the first mentioned, the skull of the 
otter approaches that of the seal. 




THE OTTER. 



326 THE LAND CARNIVORA. 



The habits of the otter are so entirely aquatic, that in the good old times it 
was thought to be a sort of cross between a beast and a hsh, just as the bat was 
thought to be intermediate between a beast and a bird. 

The movements of the otters in water are marvelous. They swim about in 
families, performing the most astonishing pranks, from mere exuberance of spirits 
and excess of energy. The otter makes a sort of nest in hollows in the banks of 
the river in which it lives, but does not, as is sometimes stated, construct compli- 
cated burrows; its claws, indeed, are too weak for any such work. It usually con- 
fines itself to rivers, but is sometimes found on the seashore. 

Otters are quite capable of domestication, and may be taught to catch fish for 
their masters. For this purpose they must be caught young, and gradually brought 
to live upon bread and milk. When this end is attained they are taught to fetch 
and carry, like a dog — first sticks, etc., then a stuffed fish, then a dead one. When 
this part of their education is perfect, and they make no attempt to mangle the fish 
given to them, they are sent into the water to catch living fish. Otters are trained 
for this purpose in India, and also in China, where they are used by the fishermen 
of the Yang-tse-kiang. Mr. J. Thompson says: "We noticed men fishing with 
trained otters in this part of the river. There were a number of boats, and each 
boat was furnished with an otter tied to a cord. The animal was thrust into the 
water, and remained there until it had caught a fish ; then it was hauled up, and 
the fisherman, placing his foot upon its tail, stamped vigorously until it had dropped 
its finny prey." 

There is one peculiar habit of the Canadian otter which is worthy of mention. 
" Their favorite sport is sliding, and for this purpose in winter the highest ridge of 
snow is selected, to the top of which the otters scramble, when, lying on the belly, 
with the fore feet backward, they give themselves an impulse with their hind legs,, 
and swiftly glide head foremost down the declivity, sometimes for the distance of 
twenty yards. This sport they continue apparently with the keenest enjoyment 
until fatigue or hunger induces them to desist." 

THE SEA OTTER. This interesting animal differs in many important 
respects from the common otter, and in all such points shows an approximation to 
the structure of the seals. It is a large animal, about three feet long, not counting 
the tail, which is about a foot more. Its fur is dark brown, both on the upper and 
lower surfaces, and presents a frosted or silvered appearance, owing to the fact 
that the long, stiff hairs, which differ greatly from those of the under fur, are grey 
or colorless at the tip. The head is very short, the snout naked ; the eyes 
extremely small, and placed low down on the sides of the head, and the whiskers 
are short, but stout and stiff, and mostly directed downward ; altogether there is 
something very seal-like about the face. The fore limbs and feet are small, the 
paws rather cat-like in their rounded form, and the claws are quite hidden by the 
hair. The hind feet, on the other hand, are flat and expanded, being no less. 



THE SEA OTTER. 327 



than six inches long by four broad, and webbed like a duck's feet, or a seal's flip- 
pers ; they differ, however, from the seal's, in the fact that the toes increase in 
length from the inner to the outer side ; both above and below they are covered 
with dense fur, which quite hides the short, stout claws. 

The Sea Otter is found in the North Pacific, chiefly in the regions of Kamst- 
chatka and Alaska, and extends as far south as California. 

Like the seal, the Sea Otter is gregarious, being often found " in bands num- 
bering from fifty up to hundreds. When in rapid movement they make alternate 
undulating leaps out of the water, plunging again as do seals and porpoises. 
When in a state of quietude, they are much of the time on their backs. They are 
frequently seen in this posture, with the hind flippers extended, as if catching the 
breeze to sail or drift before it. They live on clams, as well as crabs and other 
species of Crustacea ; sometimes small fish. When the otter descends and brings 
up any article of food, it instantly resumes its habitual attitude on the back to 
devour it. On sunny days, when looking, it sometimes shades its eyes with one 
fore paw, much in the same manner as a person does with the hand." This curious 
habit, as we have seen, is adopted also by the glutton. The supine position is so 
habitual that the females actually sleep in the water on their backs, with the young 
ones clasped between their fore paws. While in this position, too, the otter will 
toss a piece of seaweed backward and forward from paw to paw, like a ball, and 
the mother play with her offspring for hours together. 

The fur is very valuable, and the animal is consequently hunted regularly ; so 
regularly, that there is every possibility of the species becoming speedily extinct 
unless some check is put upon the chase;** For taking some action in the matter, 
there is the further reason that the natives of the Aleutian Isles, the chief resort of 
the animal, are dependent on its hunting for their subsistence, and it has been shown 
that the people have diminished in numbers, coincidently with the otters. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

THE AQUATIC OR MARINE CARNIVORA. 

The walrus, the sea lions, and the seals, collectively termed the Pinnipedia, 
constitute the second well marked group or sub-order of the Carnivora. They 
are truly inhabitants of the high seas, the land being to them only an occasional 
resort, when procreation or other causes induce short visits, or temporary resi- 
dence thereon. In the previous chapters it has been noted that certain of the 
so-called land Carnivora, the white polar bear, or the common otter, for example, 
take freely to the water, and even subsist on finny and other prey derived there- 
from, but nevertheless, as a rule, such Carnivora only are semi-aquatic. The one 
notable instance to the contrary is the sea otter, an animal seldom seen on land, 
though rarely met with far from rocky reefs and islets. 

THE WALRUS, or Morse. So far as looks are concerned, scarcely a' 
more uninviting fellow can be conceived than this animal. This ungainly creature, 
though so repellant in features, is in reality quiet and inoffensive, unless attacked or 
roused in love-time, when woe betide those who measure his strength, especially if 
he reaches his native watery element. They are very gregarious, seldom being 
met with singly, but often in herds from a dozen to several hundreds, as Captain 
Cook long ago observed. They crowd up from the water on to the rocks or ice 
one after the other, grunting and bellowing. The first arrived is no sooner com- 
posed in sleeping trim, than a second comes prodding and poking with its blunt 
tusks, forcing room for itself, while the first is urged farther from the water; the 
second in turn is similarly treated by the third ; and so on, until numbers will lie 
packed close, heads and tails resting against and on each other, in the most con- 
venient and friendly manner possible. • There they sleep and snore to their heart's 
content, but nevertheless, according to Elliott, keep guard in a singular fashion. 
Some one would seem to disturb another ; then this fellow would raise his head 
listlessly, give a grunt and a poke to his nearest companion, who would rouse up 
a few minutes, also grunt, and pass the watchword to his neighbor, and so on 
through the herd, this disturbance always keeping some few on the alert. Danger 
announced, they scuttle pell-mell and topsy-turvy into the water. 

328 



THE WALRUS. 



329 



Once in the sea, their sluggish deportment vanishes, and activity is the order 
of the day. Curiosity aroused, or attack threatened, as Lamont remarks, the herd 
keep near each other. One moment a crowd of grizzly heads and long, gleaming 
white tusks are above the waves ; then follow snorting, and hasty breathing ; 
immediately thereafter, a host of brown hemispherical backs, followed by pairs of 
flourishing hind flippers, and the lot have dived, again to appear at an interval, and 
the same performance be gone through. If one gets injured, or a young one is 
in danger, the host of walruses close round the boat, grunting, rearing and snort- 
ing, and if their wrath be roused, they rush simultaneously to the fight, and attack 
the boat.. When a young sea horse is wounded, the parent becomes desperate, and 
fearlessly exposes herself, or seizes the youngster under her fore flipper, and makes 
off, or defends herself and progeny to the death. There is no security to the 
hunter on the ice, which the animal, in its fury, will break through, even when six 
inches thick. 

The tusks vary from eight inches to two feet long, and may weigh from five 
to fifteen pounds ; in the males they are generally supposed to be thicker and more 
divergent. These teeth continuously grow, and, as they wear away, their interior 
becomes filled with tooth bone. 

Whatsoever their diet they thrive on it, and store up much fat, though less 
proportionally than seals. Like some of the sea-lions, they have the curious habit 
of swallowing stones, the economy of which is imperfectly understood. But there 
can be no doubt of the fact, or of another equally strange, that of their protracted 
fasts. During the autumn months the sea horses will muster in force on land, and 
quite lethargic there doze for days or 
weeks without tasting food, thus 
recalling the hibernation of the bear 
tribe. The walrus is infested with 
skin parasites and intestinal worms, 
and the pebble-swallowing habit is 
supposed to relieve the irritation of 
the latter. 

Not infrequently a troop will be 
found sleeping bolt upright in the 
water, and so soundly that a boat can 
approach close to them before they 
awake. They can remain under 
water, some say an hour, before re- 
quiring to take breath, but the length 
of time doubtless depends on circum- 
stances ; and ordinarily, or when sud- 
denly disturbed, barely a third of 
that time. head of walrus. 




330 THE AQUATIC OR MARINE CARNIVORA. 

The brain is largely developed, and has many sinuosities, so that in compar- 
ison with the dog or cat tribes the walrus ought to possess considerable intelli- 
gence. Acts displaying this quality, however, are only sparingly manifested in 
the young where domestication has been attempted. 

A surgeon who accompanied one of the Dundee sealers relates how a juvenile 
walrus, being captured, became in a few days quite at home, and a general favorite 
among the crew. It quickly formed an acquaintance with an Eskimo dog which 
was on board. They ate out of the same dish, although "Jamie," the walrus, took 
good care always to secure the larger share. Whenever the dog retired to his 
barrel to sleep, "Jamie" bundled his own fat carcass right on the top of him, and 
as doggie rebelled against such an unwieldy bedfellow it usually ended in "Jamie" 
having it all to himself. The latter ate blubber, beef, pork, and almost everything 
given him, but his favorite dish was pea soup. Into this he would plunge his face, 
which procedure left him a most comical countenance. He seemed to know his 
name well, for even if fast asleep the instant any one cried out "Jamie ! " he would 
rouse up, gaze anxiously about, and grunting in reply. But the most remark- 
able trait in his character was an intense hatred of solitude. When alone on deck 
he appeared a picture of misery, granting and endeavoring to make his way down 
" 'tween deck" afcer the men ; and on more than one occasion precipitated himself, 
to his peril, plump down the main hatchway, a height of about nine feet. If the 
cabin door were open he at once waddled in, laid himself before the stove, and 
went to sleep ; but if the cabin were empty he would not remain a moment. 
Nothing made him so angry as to shake a piece of paper in his face, or to run sud- 
denly away after caressing him ; he then followed with open mouth in a great 
passion. When a whale had been killed, and the ship's crew busy on deck, 
"Jamie " was in his glory in the very midst of the men covered with grease and 
oil. At these times he was a perfect nuisance, hindering the men in their duties by 
continually poking his head first between one seaman's legs and then another's, and 
so on, meantime running a chance of being cut down in the "flensing" operations. 
He evinced no particular attachment to any one individual on board, liking all 
equally from cabin boy to captain. But he knew full well when he did anything 
wrong ; for if a rope's end were shown him in a threatening manner, "Jamie " 
instantly would slink off, furtively casting a look over his shoulder to see if he 
were followed. After being on board four months he fell ill and died. The 
expression of this creature's countenance during his sickness was indicative of a 
great desire for sympathy from any one who came near. He took his medicine to 
the last, and when his remains were committed to the deep, regret was felt by all 
on board. At one time a considerable trade was devoted to walrus-hunting, but 
the diminishment of their numbers has practically reduced it to the lowest ebb. 
The tusks alone have now any commercial significance, but formerly walrus-hides 
were used for various purposes, such as machine-bands, carriage-springs, rigging 
of ships, and the like. 



THE NORTHERN FUR SEAL. 



331 



THE NORTHERN FUR SEAL. The habits and life history of this animal 
are probably more accurately known than those of any other of the eared seals. The 
males, when full grown, are between six and seven feet long, the females not being 
over four to four and one-half feet in length, from head to tail. The former will 
weigh between four to six hundred pounds, the latter scarcely reaching one 
hundred pounds, but often eighty or less. 

From whatever reason, the adult males seem to leave the herd and betake 




WALRUSES. 



themselves to the Pribyloff Islands in the spring months, when, in the first few 
days of May, they make their appearance, and in a suspicious, doubtful manner 
swim idly about, apparently reluctant to land. Soon, however, the older " bulls " 
approach the loose rocky shore, and commence to locate themselves. Each 
individual animal takes possession of a piece of ground about ten feet square, 
and as those fresh from the sea approach, there begins a series of battles as to 
which is to retain the ground first occupied. All during the month of May, and 
even to the first week of June, this terrible warfare proceeds incessantly, and 



332 THE AQUATIC OR MARINE CARNIVORA. 

those next the water have to resist all comers, or themselves be forced farther 
back. Meantime, from the beginning till almost toward the end of June, the 
pregnant females make their appearance, first in small numbers, until the great 
body arrive in mass at the close of the month. Each male retains his position as 
best he can, while some of the females hesitate to land, calling out as if in search 
of some particular mate. The males coaxingly try to inveigle them ashore, 
and no sooner do the females approach than they are laid hold of, and a general 
warfare among the whole " rookery " ensues. The quiet, unoffending, small- 
sized females are subjected to dreadful usage. The strong and powerful males 
secure, where possible, from twelve to fifteen partners in their seraglio, but to 
retain these is indeed a most serious business. Day and night the males, who have 
never left their station for at least six weeks, have still to keep watch and ward 
over their accommodating spouses, the only sense of meum and teum being force. 
If the master of the harem dare for a moment to doze, down comes his more wide- 
awake neighbor from behind, to obtain by foul means what he cannot obtain by 
fair ; or some slippery partner, desirous of change, seeks to escape the bondage 
of her lord. Then ensues internecine and domestic strife, in which all the neigh- 
boring males join, whenever there is a chance of capturing a coveted female. 
The poor wives suffer equally with their spouses — trampled, bitten, and dashed 
about. It results that he alone keeps who has the power to withstand his numer- 
ous assailants. Some of the females may have the fortune to get more comfortably 
settled than the others, which are bandied from one location to another, until 
most of the males obtain a few partners, the lucky ones in front securing and 
holding the greatest number, those behind being obliged to content themselves 
with half a dozen or thereabouts. 

A few days only have elapsed, and matters settled down more quietly, when 
the females give birth each to a single one. The little fellows soon find their 
voice — a kind of bleat like a young lamb's — begin paddling about, and then suckle. 
They gorge themselves heartily with the rich creamy milk. But, strange to say, 
the mother seems remarkably indifferent to her offspring ; and, if it stray beyond 
the limits of the family group, it may be abducted by the other seals for all that 
she cares. 

About this time, many of the old males who have successfully held their 
position become exhausted, and now and again the less fortunate or single males 
behind, in stronger or fresher condition, drive the former from their posts, and 
the latter take their places. There is no wonder that exhaustion succeeds. 
Indeed, one of the most remarkable features in the history of the sea lions is that 
for two months and more these heroic males, that arrived fat and plump from 
their winter quarters, have held their positions on land against all comers, and this 
without tasting food, water, or almost sleep during this period. It seems scarcely 
credible that animals incessantly on the watch, excited and bearing the brunt of 
sanguinary contests, should be able to undergo starvation under such circum- 



THE PATAGONIAN SEA LION. 



333 





SEA LION DOZING ON HIS BACK. 



SEA LION FAST ASLEEP. 



stances. This fact is almost unique in natural history ; for, though hibernation 
for long periods is common to the bear, hedgehog, etc., their winter sleep is 
accompanied by cessation of all bodily exertion, and the functions of circulation, 
respiration, and digestion are comparatively at a standstill. In truth, how this 





SEA LION CLIMBING 



SEA LION IN WATCHFUL ATTITUDE. 



and other species of Otaria, for the habit is not limited to the fur seal, endure 
such a lengthy abstinence, physiology fails to explain. 

While the families, in groups as afore mentioned, with their dominant lords, 
hold the favorite grounds, the great mass of the younger members of the com- 





SEA LION LICKING HIS LEG. 



SEA LION SCRATCHING WITH HIND LEG. 



334 THE AQUATIC OR MARINE CARNIVORA. 

munity are not thoroughly excluded from the domains of the " rookery." By 
common consent, here and there long narrow lanes of neutral ground are left 
open from the beach upward, and along these continually pass to and fro the non- 
breeding animals. These go to the rear, where they pack themselves in a kind of 
general medley, their gregarious nature leading them there to swarm. 

The young animals in the beginning of August begin to take to the water, 
with which they soon become familiar, frolicking about and returning like lazy 
dogs to sleep after their exertions. They grow fast, and gathering in squads 
swarm over the whole "rookery." The colony now begins to break up from the 
family parties first instituted. Some besport themselves, or possibly feed in the 
neighborhood ; others range on the sandy and grassy uplands, in groups of hun- 
dreds to thousands, and seem to play and enjoy themselves in a rollicking, lively 
manner. Their gamboling is very good natured, they seldom quarreling. They 
appear to delight in dashing through the breakers, and " hauling up " on the surf- 
beaten shore. In dull, foggy weather, they crowd close together in myriads, 
and a bright, warm day sends them off quickly to the water, seemingly to 
avoid heat. 

What they live on during all this period it is difficult to state, for the fish 
round the island appear to be driven off on the arrival of the sea lions. They, 
nevertheless, subsist and thrive. In the stomachs of most of the older animals 
several pounds' weight of pebbles are usually found. 

The killing of these seals is quite a peculiar occupation of the islanders. 
After the breeding season, the hunters take advantage of the dull and foggy 
weather, and creep down between the herd and the water. Then suddenly rising 
and shouting together, they drive landward the affrighted animals, though many 
of course escape. Closing on them, they allow the females and the very old males 
by degrees to pass, and then drive the remainder at a slow rate toward the killing 
ground, some distance off. Watchers remain over night with them, and in the 
morning, when the seals have rested and cooled down, the work of slaughter 
begins. Squads of forty or fifty are separated, and the islanders then surround 
these in a body; the animals meantime huddling together and treacling over each 
other's flippers, cannot well attack or defend themselves, and they are then clubbed 
by blows on the head. While this bloody process is going on, a number of the 
men dexterously skin the animals, and others look after the blubber, and such parts 
as are useful for food and other purposes. 

THE PATAGONIAN SEA HON. It was this animal that attracted the 
attention of Captain Cook and his naturalist, Forster, both describing it. Apart 
from the historical connections attaching to this creature, inasmuch as many 
famous voyagers' names have been associated with it, in our own generation it is 
remarkable as that first taken alive to England. The individual in question was, 
by kindness and dint of training, taught to become quite a performer in its way, 



SEA LION— FUR SEAL. 



335 




THE FALKLAND ISLAND FUR SEAL. 



mounting a ladder with perfect ease, and descending- indifferently, head or tail 
foremost. It fired a small cannon, and went through several other performances 
indicative of the teachableness of its disposition and the successful assiduity of its 
trainer. So well known have its appearance and little tricks of mounting chairs, 
catching with open mouth fish thrown toward it, kissing its keeper, and so on, 
become, that it is needless to enter upon a detailed account of these matters. 
There is no doubt, however, that this animal, and others of different species, have 
manifested traits of brain power of a superior kind. One feature has struck all, 
namely its voracity, twenty-five pounds of fish a day being barely more than short 
commons. If one estimates this amount to each individual, namely, an equivalent 
of 7,000 pounds a year, and consider that there exist colonies of those animals 
more than a million in number, the wonder arises that the finny tribe is not exter- 
minated in those spots inhabited by the seals 

The success accompanying the above animal's exhibition led to the Zoological 
Society's sending Lecomte to the Falklands to procure more. Although he 
obtained a number, most met mishaps and died before reaching London. His 
account of their habits and nature corroborates the earlier observers. According 
to him, families range from six to twenty, a dozen being the average, while a herd 
would be composed of several families. Located in the islands and isthmuses, 
an old male guards as sentinel, and signals, by a growl, approaching danger. 
Between sleeping and procuring food, they pass their time, often lying huddled in a 
drowsy condition. 



336 THE AQUATIC OR MARINE CARNIVORA. 

Captain Cook says he met with immense males, twelve or fourteen feet in 
length, and eight or ten in circumference. Such big customers now no longer 
exist, though the truth of what our circumnavigator asserts would seem to be 
substantiated by the fact of skulls of enormous size being found hither and thither, 
weather-worn, on the beach. 

THE FALKLAND ISLAND FUR SEAL. The headquarters for the cap- 
ture of this valuable species of commercial fur seal are the Falkland Isles, and the 
South Shetlands, within the Antarctic circle, but it is also found on the coast of 
South America. The best account of the habits of this species is that of Captain 
Weddell. When he visited the South Shetlands, so little did they apprehend dan- 
ger from man, that they lay quietly by while their neighbors were killed and 
skinned. But, as he remarks, they soon acquired habits for counteracting danger, 
by placing themselves on rocks whence they precipitated themselves into the 
water. Their agility is very great, outstripping men running fast in pursuit. The 
absurd story of their throwing stones at their pursuers with their tails, Wed- 
dell accounts for by their awkward, trailing gait, and in an attempt to scamper > 
scattering rocky fragments hither and thither behind them. He mentions their 
exceeding disproportion of size, the males, as in other species, being the more 
bulky, the latter being six to seven feet long, the females seldom more than fonr 
feet, and often less. He computed the females at about twenty to one male. They 
assemble gregariously on the coast at different periods and in distinct classes. The 
young are born in December. At first they are black, a few weeks later become 
grey, and afterward, as they frequent the sea, moult and acquire their peculiar 
furry coats. 

THE NEW ZEALAND FUR SEAL. During his second voyage of cir- 
cumnavigation, Captain Cook cast anchor in Dusky Bay, New Zealand, and 
records that he saw great numbers of seals on the small rocks and islets in this 
neighborhood. Forster made careful notes thereon, besides his drawings. He 
says they are seals with ears, hands free, feet webbed on the under surface, naked 
between the fingers, hardly nailed. Gregarious in habits, they are timid, and fling 
themselves off the rocks into the sea at the approach of man ; but they most power- 
fully resist when attacked, bite the weapons used against them, and even venture 
to assail the boats. They swim with such rapidity under water that a boat rowed 
by six strong men can scarcely keep up with them. Tenacious of life to a degree, 
a fractured skull did not dispatch them. The weight of the full grown is 220 
pounds, cubs scarcely twelve pounds ; the former are six or seven feet long, the 
latter barely two and a half. The hair is soft, black, with reddish grey tips and a 
delicate reddish under fur. 

The young are black when wet, when dry, lighter below ; individual hairs 
pale yellow at base with light yellow tips, and a dense under fur of the same tint. 



FUR SEAL— COMMON SEAL. 



337 




LEFT FORE (a) AND HIND (b) FLIPPER OF NEW 
ZEALAND FUR SEAL. 



The older animals have hairs tipped 
with white. Round the mouth and 
ears are pale yellow. These seals are 
fast disappearing or retiring to the 
Southern Antarctic Ocean. 

THE COMMON SEAL. This 
most familiar species of the group is 
as ludicrous in its gait on land as it is 
surpassingly elegant in its movements 
in water. It is of a yellowish grey 
color, spotted above with black and 
brown, so as to give a mottled appear- 
ance, while below it is of a whitish 
or silvery grey. Ordinarily the hairs 
are shining and stiff, the color being 
dependent somewhat on their being 
moist or dry ; when the former, dark 
grey predominates. In length it varies from three to six feet, the head being about 
a tenth part. The roundish head has a short muzzle, prominent whiskers, and 
large expressive eyes. 

Although as valuable as certain other forms hunted by the sealers, its numbers 
in the polar regions are comparatively smaller, so that it is not separately pursued 

by them, though the Greenlanders 
have a high appreciation of its worth. 

THE GREENLAND, or Saddle- 
Back Seal. It is this species that forms 
one of the chief objects of chase, both 
in the Spitzbergen and Newfoundland 
seas. In habits it agrees with the 
ordinary seals, though said to be care- 
less and stupid, and easily captured. 
It feeds on small fish, Crustacea, and 
mollusca. The males and females dif- 
fer in appearance, and the changes 
from the younger to the older stages 
are also very remarkable. Indeed, 
one may say scarcely two animals 
are alike. 




HIND FLIPPERS OF RINGED SEAL. 

A, opened out; B, closed. 



THE CRESTED SEAL. Named 
from the remarkable prominence of 



838 



THE AQUATIC OR MARINE CARNIVORA. 



the front upper part of the head, this is one of the largest and most powerful of the 
northern seals. Certainly it is the fiercest and most dangerous, as the Eskimo 
know to their cost in attacking it from their kayaks. It does not hesitate to 
return an assault, and the crest, it is said, affords some protection from wounds 
inflicted by the club. These brutes fight ferociously among themselves, and the 
roaring during such ice battles, in the still Arctic regions, is said to be audible 




THE CRESTED SEAL. 

four miles off. The so-called crest, hood, or bladder, is in reality nothing of the 
sort, but only a peculiar enlargement of the nasal passages, more particularly 
developed in the old animals of both sexes. From eight to twelve feet in length 
has been given as the limits of size it obtains. The young are pure white; when 
a year old they become greyish, and the hue deepens, becoming deep chestnut 
and black above, though the lighter shade is retained on the under parts ; chiefly 
on the back are black spots and rings of white. The muzzle is hairy, and the hair 
on the rest of the body long, with thick soft under-wool. It visits Greenland in 



CRESTED SEAL— ELEPHANT SEAL. 



339 




HE ELEPHANT SEAL. 



May and June, leaves in July, and again returns in August and September. This 
animal is one which the sealers hunt, it frequenting the outside of the ice packs. 



THE ELEPHANT SEAL. In the young and females, the characteristic fea- 
ture, or so-called proboscis, is deficient, but in the old males it extends quite a foot 
beyond the angle of the mouth, and hence the name of Elephant Seal. The 
females are nine or ten feet, the males fourteen, sixteen, and even twenty feet in 
length. The color varies with age from brown to leaden grey. 



CHAPTER XV. 

ORDER V — CETACEA — WHALES. 

The whales form one of the most extraordinary groups of the Mammalia, for 
the}' are warm-blooded, air-breathers, and sucklers of their young, and are most 
strangely adapted for life in a watery element. Oddly enough the term " Fish " 
is still applied to them by the whalers, though they have nothing in common with 
these creatures, save a certain similitude in shape. The vulgar notion of a whale 
is an enormous ereature with an extremely capacious mouth, but the fact is that 
many of the Cetacea are of relatively moderate dimensions, though doubtless, on 
the other hand, the magnitude of some is perfectly amazing. Thus, in size they 
are variable as a group, a range of from five or six feet (equal to the stature of 
man) to seventy or eighty feet giving sufficiently wide limits. With certain 
exceptions, notwithstanding length, an average-sized whale by no means conveys 
to the eye the same idea of vastness, say for instance, as does an Elephant. The 
reason is that most Cetaceans are of a club shape, the compact cylindrical body 
and long narrow, tapering tail reducing the idea of size. The head is in such con- 
tinuity with the body that of neck there seems nothing. In some there are 
upright fleshy back fins ; in others these are wanting. The gristly caudal fin is 
horizontal and not upright or rayed like a fish's. The body is smooth and devoid 
of hair. The eye is remarkably small and without eyelashes, and the ear orifice 
is so diminutive as to seem deficient. The head is either rounded, massive, or has 
a long snout. There are no hind limbs, and only in the enormous whalebone 
whales have the rudiments of any been found. Small pelvic bones, however, are 
present, embedded in the flesh at the setting on of the tail. The fore-limbs, which 
are ordinarily termed flippers, have the usual bones extremely broadened and 
flattened; the free part — equivalent to the hand — being encased in a rigid or stiff 
nailless membrane. 

THE SPERM WHALE, or Cachalot. Next to the Greenland Whale 
the Cachalot is by far the most important animal of the whale tribe in a com- 
mercial point of view. A rare interest, moreover, is attached to it from the 
daring deeds and hairbreadth escapes of the whalers pursuing it, inasmuch as in 
certain cases it is among the fiercest of the Cetacea. At times it not only attacks 

340 



THE SPERM WHALE. 



341 



boats and their crews in pursuit of it, but there are also well-authenticated 
instances of ships themselves being- assailed and sunk b} 7 this powerful monster 
of the deep. It attains a size varying from forty to seventy feet, the average of 
old males being about sixty feet, while the females are much smaller. It is black 
above, lighter on the sides, and silvery-grey on the belly parts. Its head is of 
enormous proportions, forming nearly half the bulk of the animal. The snout is 




1 HE SPERM WHALE. 

extraordinarily dilated and terminates abruptly; the upper jaw quite overhangs 
the lower, and the bones of the latter are united close together for a long distance, 
and are furnished with from twenty to thirty teeth on each side. Each tooth is 
conical and slightly curved, hollow at the base, but elsewhere it is dense and solid. 
When the lower jaw is closed the teeth fit into hollows in the upper lips, in this 
respect somewhat resembling what takes place in the crocodile's mouth; but 
besides the remarkable lower jaw, the Sperm Whale's skull rivets attention from 
the extensive basin-shaped spermaceti reservoir. The upper surface of the broad 
shoe-shaped skull has a large basin-like cavity, wherein in the soft parts the 



342 THE CETACEA. 



material known as spermaceti is lodged. The blow-hole is single, and is situated 
quite in front. The throat is very large as compared with that of the Greenland 
whale. The Sperm whale is seldom found in inland waters, but is met with in 
all the oceans, from the Polar to the Antarctic, though it chiefly inhabits the 
tropical or sub-tropical seas. # 

Many thrilling stories are told of the capture of this whale, but space will 
not permit more than a passing notice. On the coast of Japan, in 1832, three 
boats pursued a whale all day long. By a dexterous move the animal was at last 
lanced, when it spouted blood, suddenly descended about forty fathoms, and as 
quickly rose and dashed the boat into the air into fragments. The men clung to 
the oars and broken wood, and, in spite of the vicinity of sharks and the whale 
itself, were saved by the other boats, the crews of which avenged themselves by 
ultimately killing the whale. Of fighting whales there are numbers of stories, 
that of one old male, familiarly known as "New Zealand Tom," being still tra- 
ditionally recounted in the forecastle. In 1804 the Adonis and several other ships 
simultaneously attacked the fellow, who destroyed some nine boats before break- 
fast, but in the end was captured, when a host of harpoons were found in its body. 
There can be no doubt that the Sperm whale is a migratory animal, though its 
migrations are by no means clearly understood. It is a gregarious creature, 
"schools "of a dozen to fifty or sixty being occasionally met with. At other 
times great fellows are found here and there on lonely pilgrimages, while still at 
other times a few together will be seen en route to fresh feeding grounds. Adult 
females, or those with young in their company, evince a strong affection for each 
other, and when one is killed or sustains injury, parents or companions hover 
about and even render assistance. The whalers take advantage of this trait, and 
often kill a number ere the others make off. When, however, a company of young 
male whales are found, and ooe is attacked, little love or interest in each other's 
welfare is manifested, every one rushing off helter-skelter in all directions, to the 
whalers' chagrin. The old ''bulls," on the other hand, are more sedate and less 
easily frightened, and unless roused by injury to retaliate on their pursuers are 
more readily harpooned. The Sperm whale is easily known from all others, even 
at a great distance, from the regularity of its blowing and the manner in which 
it throws up a volume of vapor obliquely forward. It traverses the ocean sur- 
face in a steady, methodical manner, at the rate of four or five miles an hour, its 
great head or hump-like back occasionally appearing above water. It will remain 
on the surface from ten to fifteen minutes, and then will descend, staying below 
an hour or more, but the females and young remain up and descend at more fre- 
quent intervals. At times, instead of quietly swimming on the surface, they pro 
ceed more quickly by a kind of lounging motion, the head being thrust well out 
of the water, a mass of spray accompanying this mode of progression. Occa- 
sionally they spring headlong out of the sea, or violently beat the surface with 
their tails, or at other times dash about in a variety of attitudes. Sometimes they 



THE SPERM WHALE. 343 



move their fins as feeling around for enemies, or throw their bodies awry, bringing 
the mouth well to the surface. It is pretty certain that cuttle-fish form a large 
proportion of their food, though there is reason to believe that they do not 
despise fish and other marine creatures. It is still a moot point how they feed, and 
to what use they put their teeth. Some assert that in the depths the under jaw is 
lowered, and the glistening pearly teeth fully shown ; attracted by the latter, its 
prey approach and the trap is closed. Blindness at times supervenes. Still more 
curious are instances where the lower jaw is twisted like a shepherd's crook, and 
strange to say, notwithstanding this deformity, these whales seem fat and hearty 
— this fact giving rise to much speculation whether such malformation has arisen 
from fighting and distortion of the jaw in youth, or from other causes not yet 
ascertained. The Sperm whale has its enemies, the Thresher shark leaping on it, 
and attacking it from above, while the daring Killer Whale {Oreo) assaults it from 
below. The female, it is said, breeds at all seasons, producing one, but occasion- 
ally two, at a time. 

The double-bowed whale-boats are manned by six men, and when they 
approach the whale one steers aft with an oar while the harpooner plies his craft. 
No sooner struck than the rowers " back" away. Meanwhile the creature dives, 
carrying harpoon and line, or rolls rapidly round coiling the rope on its body. 
The other boats approach, and as it rises harpoons and lances are dexterously 
used, and as the blood escapes in volumes, spite of its vast efforts, the creature 
succumbs. Immediately after its death the boats are made fast to the carcass, and 
the ship reached as circumstances best permit. Secured alongside, a man 
descends, cuts a hole behind the head, inserts a hook, often under most dangerous 
conditions, especially if the sea is rough. The fat or blubber is cut bv sharp 
spades in a long spiral strip, and pulleys applied, when these skin and blubber 
strips are thereupon hove on deck. The carcass afterward is rolled round and the 
opposite side similarly treated. The great head meantime is cut off, and floated 
astern until the trunk is deprived of its blubber. The head is then opened from 
above, and among the coarse fat and blubber of the forehead is a fluid oily matter, 
the spermaceti. This substance is handed up in bucketfuls, and preserved in 
casks. On its removal the wedge-shaped oily and fibrous head-piece, the "junk," 
is next secured ; head and trunk are then sent adrift. Then follows the "trying 
out," that is, boiling the fatty masses and extracting the oil, which operation is 
done in furnaces, the scraps of fat mainly serving as fuel. Finally the oil and head 
matter are casked up, and a fresh lookout from the masthead is kept for more 
whales. The crow's nest is a large barrel on the crosstrees, where a watcher is 
stationed during the whole voyage. No sooner is a whale spied than the shout, 
" There she blows!" or " There she spouts !" is replied to from the deck by a hur- 
ried rush to the boats, for each seaman's kit and provisions are beforehand ready 
prepared in a bundle, and before many minutes, the hardy mariners are on their 
way toward their gigantic spoil. Sperm oil is exceedingly valuable. 



344 THE CETACEA. 



THE PILOT WHALE is one of the best known whales that frequent the 
English coasts, great herds of hundreds having often been run ashore in the Shet- 
lands, Orkneys, and even in the Frith of Forth. Adults average from sixteen to 
twenty-five feet in length, are of a jet-black color, but lighter or whitish on the 
abdomen. The body is cylindrical, tapering to the tail; the dorsal fin is high, 
placed at the middle of the back ; the flippers are unusually long and narrow. 
The head is quite characteristic, having the form of a massive boss. When these 
whales are seen gamboling in the bays of our own northern coasts, the hardy 
fishermen start in their boats, and form a cordon seaward. Then by gunshots, 
shouts, splashing, and throwing stones, they drive them toward the shore ; and as 
the animals madly plunge to shallower water, pressing through fear one over the 
other, the men dash into the water and begin havoc with harpoons, scythes, spears, 
picks, or spades — indeed, whatever weapon comes handiest. Thus numbers, from 
even fifty to as many as two hundred, fall an easy prey. Such an encounter took 
place in 1867 near Prestonpans on the Frith of Forth, when one whale wounded 
by harpoons struck seaward, hauling a boat and crew of twelve men nearly as far 
as Inchkeith ere it succumbed. There may be more than one species of this 
whale, widely distributed, but whether or not, their habits and general appearance 
have much in common. 

THE NARWHAL, or Sea-Unicorn. Of all whales this is the most unique 
on account of its so-called horn, or rather tusk, or, still better, enormously 
developed canine tooth. Most museums contain examples of this extraordinary 
object, which seems like a solid rod of ivory, tapers from root to tip, has a kind of 
striated spiral surface, and is often from five to seven feet or more in length, thus 
being the longest tooth in the Mammalia. The adult animals vary from ten to 
sixteen feet long, and, like the Beluga, have a blunt short head, no dorsal fin, and 
very small flippers. It is essentially a northern form, inasmuch as it frequents the 
coasts of Greenland, Spitzbergen, and Siberia, though occasionally met with off 
Scandinavia and Britain. It travels in great herds, and Dr. R. Brown saw thou- 
sands in their summer migrations following tusk to tusk and tail to tail like a regi- 
ment of cavalry, and swimming with perfect, regular, undulating movements. 
These herds are of both sexes. The narwhals have grey backs, mottled with 
black, the sides and belly paling downward to white, and equally spotted with 
grey or darker tint. The females are more spotted than the males, the young are 
darker, but some animals are much paler than others. The crescentic blowhole 
externally is single. Occasionally they utter a gurgling noise. In the stomachs 
of captured narwhals, fish bones, crustaceans, mollusks, and cuttlefish remains 
have been found. They swim with great velocity, and are most active creatures. 
They dash and sport about apparently with much glee, and Scoresby says that in 
their playfu! moments they parry horns as if fencing. He suggests that the horn 
may be used for spearing fish, as he found a large flat skate in the stomach of one. 



THE NARWHAL. 



345 



Others imagine that it may be for stirring up food from the bottom; but it has 
been very deftly remarked that the female would thus fare badlv, seeing she is 
destitute of the tooth in question. Fabricius' view, that it was to keep the ice 
holes open during the winter, has a touch of truth in it, inasmuch as one among 
other instances has been recorded where it usefully supplied such a purpose. Dr. 
R. Brown mentions that in i860 a Greenlander observed in a hole in the ice hun- 




dreds of narwhals and white whales protruding their heads to breathe. It was 
likened to an Arctic Black Hole of Calcutta, so eager were the creatures pushing 
toward it. The natives gathered around, harpooned and shot the creatures by the 
dozen, though many were lost, such was the scramble. 



THE WHALEBONE WHALES. 



These are distinguished from the Toothed whales by their great upper jaws 
being provided with baleen plates instead of teeth. Most people have seen a large 



346 THE CETACEA. 



plate of whalebone, dark tinted or occasionally lighter, and one extremity ending 
in a fringe of bristle-iike hairs. The whalebone blade of dense horny-like material 
is in the early stage composed of a brush of hair-like bodies, which, lengthening, 
solidify and assume the hard, horny appearance afterward known in the blade. 
The gum of the upper jaw has a series of these plates, the one in front of the 
other, which elongate as growth proceeds, but leave the free extremity with a 
fringe of separate hairs. Again, the blade toward the gum is embedded in a fleshy 
substance similar to the roots of our finger nails. It grows continuously from the 
roots, like the latter, and in many respects corresponds, save that the free end is 
always fringed. Baleen, therefore, though varying from a few inches to a number 
of feet long, in fact approximates to a series of, so to say, mouth nail-plates, which 
laminae have a somewhat transverse position to the cavity of the mouth, and thus 
their inner split edges and lower free ends cause the mouth to appear as a great 
hairy archway, shallower in front and deeper behind. The animal in opening its 
mouth gulps a quantity of water containing its r..nute marine food, and then clos- 
ing the mouth the liquid escapes and the small Libntzsca, etc.. are entangled in the 
hairy meshes. 

THE GREENLAND, or Right Whale. Among the Cetacea, this may 
be denominated the whale, for much of the popular knowledge, interest, and 
commercial value of the group has centered in this animal. It is the well known 
form followed by the Greenland whalers into the Arctic seas. The stories of its 
hunting and authenticated accounts of its vast size, etc., associate it in many minds 
as the most typical of the whale tribe. But the truth is, it is unusual in many 
respects, and not even quite representative of the group of Whalebone whales as 
a whole. 

THE BISCAY WHALE. This creature ordinarily attains a length of fifty 
or sixty or not more than seventy feet. The females are said to be larger and 
fatter than the males, to produce one or rarely two young ones in the spring, 
which are suckled for a twelvemonth, and they exhibit a constancy and affection 
for this offspring not surpassed by any other of the tribe. The bulky body is 
largest about the middle, tapering rather suddenly toward the tail, the flukes of 
which are occasionally over twenty feet from tip to tip. The flipper is short and 
broadish ; while the head is a third of the length of the animal. The small eye is 
placed very low, but nevertheless above the angle of the great arched mouth. 
The head is surrounded by a large swelling, at which point the double orifice of 
the blowhole forms an obtuse angle. The adult is almost black, the young bluish 
grey, the lower parts of the throat cream color, and occasionally dispersed whitish 
markings on the body. Gregarious in habits, they go in twos and threes, but 
sometimes in greater numbers, even in large flocks; but the herds now are indeed 
rare. Among the most remarkable peculiarities in this whale are the nature of its 



r- 




348 THE CETACEA. 



food and its mode of feeding. In the high latitudes there floats in immense quan- 
tities a small soft-bodied Mollusc an inch long, with expansions like wings; and 
besides it there are numerous small Crustaceans and Jelly fish of various kinds. 
These, curiously enough, feed on infinitesimally minute jelly-specks. These latter 
thus form subsistence to the former, which in their turn are the whale's food ; so 
that, as Dr. Robert Brown has remarked, this enormous marine monster in a 
secondary manner is sustained bv incredible numbers of organisms of which 1,000 
or more might be laid on a shilling piece. Captain David Gray, a well-known 
successful whaler, has given a good account of the mode of feeding. When the 
animal opens its mouth to feed, the whalebone springs forward and downward so 
as to fill the mouth entirely. When in the act of shutting it again, the whalebone 
being pointed slightly toward the throat, the lower jaw catches it and carries it 
up into the hollow of the mouth. They choose a space between two pieces of 
ice, and swimming backward and forward secure the food near the surface. 
They will continue feeding in this way for hours, afterward disappearing under 
the ice to sleep, and again suddenly reappearing as hunger compels them. When the 
food is submerged ten or fifteen fathoms, after feeding, the whale comes to the sur- 
face to breathe, and swallows its mouthful. It then lies still a minute, raises its 
head partially out of the water, again diving, throwing its tail in the air as it dis- 
appears. At such times the whalers successfully harpoon them. Occasionally 
they are easily captured, but more often are approached with great danger. The 
periods of surface-breathing and descents in the Right wmale are very different 
and irregular compared with those of the Sperm whale. At intervals of from five 
to fifteen or twenty minutes they rise to breathe, and remain on the surface for 
about two minutes. Their ordinary rate of traveling is nearly four miles an 
hour, but if alarmed or wounded their pace is considerably increased. Like the 
other whales they travel head to the wind. They appear to have periods of migra- 
tion. In May they are found off West Greenland; at the end of June they cross 
Baffin's Bay toward Lancaster Sound and Eclipse Bay, whence in August and 
September they strike south, and in November or later reach Hudson Straits 
and the coast of Labrador. It is supposed that the young are produced in these 
lower latitudes, and in spring the whales are believed to proceed agftin north- 
ward. This ordinarily quiet, harmless, but unwieldy creature, whose time seems 
to be divided between feeding and sleeping, occasionally disports itself in fun and 
frolic, like its more elegant and smaller congeners. It will then throw itself clean 
out of the water. 

The whaling ships, which are now most powerfully built screw propellors, 
leave our coasts in the beginning of May for the Greenland seas, and endeavor to 
come across the track of their prey in the Baffin's Bay districts. The men in the 
crow's nest have a weary and cold outlook, and as opportunity offers chase is 
given in the whaleboat in these dreary regions under circumstances well calcu- 
lated to test the bravest spirit. The vessels often hover on the c dges of the ice, 



THE BISCA Y WHALE. 349 



or ram and bore their way through it, and when whales are announced they are 
assailed by the boats' crews with harpoons, lances, and at times harpoon-guns. 
These whales when struck will occasionally run out more than a mile of cable, but 
return to breathe at no great distance, when the lance is used, and the extraor- 
dinary loss of blond weakens the monster and lays him at the mercy of his pur- 
suers. Whales that have once been attacked and got free become very cunning, 
and instead of diving direct go straight along the surface, dragging boats and 
even ships into most dangerous positions, or cutting the ropes as they seek shelter 
under the ice. The whalers on the Okhotsk Sea vary their mode of pursuit 
according to the district, often landing and even making night-whaling expedi- 
tions, being guided by the phosphorescence accompanying the creature's move- 
ments. An ordinary sized whale, between forty and fifty feet, will yield from 
sixty to eighty barrels of oil, and 1,000 pounds of baleen. The usual manner is 
for the whale to be brought along the port side of the vessel, its tail forward, 
belly up, and head aft. Tackled at either extremity, the men with spiked boots 
commence to strip the blubber, which is hoisted on deck. When the belly and 
right side with flipper are disposed of, the carcass is canted and the other side is 
similarly treated. The material is hastily put aside until the first quiet oppor- 
tunity admits of its being cut in pieces and finally stowed in the holds, where it is 
kept in perfect safety until the return of the vessel. The skin and waste pieces of 
flesh or "kreng" are thrown away, and as the carcass and such useless matter are 
abandoned, they are quickly seized by the Killer whales, Threshers, and Green- 
land sharks, and by enormous numbers of sea-fowl that hover in the wake of the 
whaler. 

Considerable interest is attached to another Cetacean of the North Pacific, 
the California Grey whale. The female of this animal is from forty to forty-four, 
and the male seldom more than thirty-five feet in length. In shape it may be said 
to be somewhat intermediate between the Right whale and the Hump-backs. It 
has no back fin or hump, but instead a series of cross ridges on the hind part of 
the back toward the tail. Occasionally individuals are nearly black, but the more 
common and characteristic color is a mottled-grey or speckled patches of white 
on all the upper parts, underneath being darkest in body-tint. The flippers are 
fully six feet long, broad in the middle, but taper to a point. The head arches 
downward from the blowhole forward, and the baleen is remarkably short, 
brownish white, and coarse in texture. From November till May this whale fre- 
quents the Californian coast, and then the females enter the shallow bays and 
lagoons, and give birth to their young, while the males keep seaward. During 
the summer months they all journey northward along the coast, and congregate 
amidst the ice in the Arctic Ocean and the Okhotsk Sea. So regular are their 
migrations, and so close in-shore do they swim, that Eskimos and Indians alike 
keep watch at the proper season, and as they pass successfully attack them in their 
canoes. The flukes, lips, and fins form native dainties, the oil is bartered for rein- 



350 THE CETACEA. 



deer, a sauce is made of the entrails, and the Eskimo dogs feast on the flesh. 
Since 185 1 a system of coast and bay whaling has been profitably pursued along 
the Californian shores. At first 1,000 whales would daily pass the outlook 
stations, though not a tenth part are now seen, so great has been the havoc and 
so shy of the land and whale boats have the California Greys become. In calm 
weather these whales will lie motionless for an hour or so on the surface of the 
water, but they nevertheless seem to delight in dashing and splashing among the 
surf and breakers. At other times they huddle together in shoal water, almost 
getting aground, while their young swim freely about in sportive play. The 
dam's attachment to her offspring is very great, and hence lagoon whaling is most 
dangerous. Casualties are of constant occurrence in these narrow passages, the 
old whale in her frenzy dashing her head against the boats, and lashing all around 
with her tail-flukes; hence the sailors call them " Devil-fish," and "Hard-head," 
while "Mussel-digger" is applied to them from their habit of probing among the 
mud. They often roam among the seaweed banks, where the whaler shoots them 
with the harpoon gun, as he lies in wait in a small boat or sailing craft. Thus 
this piebald whale runs every chance of early extinction, seeing that whether in 
Avarm or cold latitudes, it is relentlessly pursued by its dire enemy — man. 

ORDER VI. — SIRENIA (THE MANATEES). 

This order of the Marine Mammalia comprises only a few animals, which 
however, possess a peculiar interest. But two genera are now found alive, and a 
third genus was utterly extirpated about a century ago. Others are only known 
from fossil remains. Notwithstanding the ungainly, almost positively repulsive, 
appearance of the living forms, they yet have a hold on the popular imagination 
on account of their being the actual representatives of the famed Sirens and Mer- 
maids of yore. The ancients, in their voyages to eastern climes, gathered stories 
concerning the existence of strange creatures, half woman, half fish, chiefly fre- 
quenting the shores of Ceylon; and fancy, with oft told but unchecked repetition 
of tales, soon lent a charm to the supposed beings, by conferring on these sea- 
nymphs imaginary flowing tresses, and sweet dulcet voices, by whose luring wiles 
the unwary mariner was entrapped, or led to destruction. Howsoever ridiculous 
such notions may now be regarded, thev are, nevertheless, to be satisfactorily 
explained, for the singular Dugong, with its fish-like tail, roundish head, and 
mammae on its breast, has the habit of occasionally raising half of its body per- 
pendicularly out of the water, and clasping its young to its breast. These actions 
have, doubtless, given a colorable pretext to all the fables of mermaids — those 
" missing links," which even yet our children delight in, when narrated in " The 
Little Mermaid," by the talented pen of a Hans Andersen. 

THE DUGONG is ordinarily from ten to twelve feet long, though very old 
males are said occasionally to reach as much as eighteen to twenty feet. Its dis- 



THE D UGONG— THE MAN A TEE. 



351 



tribution is rather widespread, namely, from the Red Sea and East African coasts 
to the west coast of Australia. Their color is slaty brown or bluish black above, 
and whitish below. The earlier traveler, Leguat, speaks of droves of several hun- 
dreds grazing like sheep on the seaweeds a few fathoms deep in the clear waters of 
the Mascarene Islands. Usually this tropical animal frequents the shallow smooth 
waters of the bays, inlets, and river estuaries where marine vegetation is in abun- 
dance, and there it leisurely feeds, being lethargic in disposition, but an immense 
eater. When they have not been much chased they are not shy or timid, but even 
allow the natives to handle them ; on which occasions the admiring spectators 
generally manage to abstract the smaller and fatter cubs as dainties, for they are 
considered uncommon good food. So highly prized are they, that the Malay king 
considers it a royal " fish," and he claims all taken in his dominions. The flesh of 
the young, when cooked in a variety of ways, is certainly wholesome — by some 
compared to veal, and by others to beef or pork — but the older animals are 
tougher. In the spring months the males do battle for partners, and the young 
are born toward the end of the year. The Dngong shows intense maternal affec- 
tion, for if the young be taken, the mother suffers herself to be speared in follow- 
ing her offspring. Iu its strange bristly-clad muzzle the Dugong resembles its 
conveners. 



THE MANATEE inhabits the African and American continents. In 
Africa it ranges along the west coast, and ascends the Senegal, Niger, Congo and 
other rivers, where it not only frequents the lagoons, but even has been captured 
in Lake Tchad. In America two forms are supposed to exist — one, the manatee of 

Florida, is said to have a closer 

resemblance to the African form 1 f; . . ~'.. .U... '- ,_>\ f v , --> .,*, ,r ...-,,• 

than to its fellow countryman; the jgj§ ■ - -~ . ' ' 

other is found in Surinam, Guiana, 
Jamaica, the Amazon and its tribu- 
taries, and indeed, in the various 
rivers, bays, and inlets of the tropi- 
ical American coast. These crea- 
tures, like the foregoing, browse 
iipon the aquatic vegetation of the 
shallow lagoons and river banks, 
apparently, however, having a pref- 
erence for fresh water plants. 
Their habits and mode of feeding 
are, in a measure, similar to those 
of the Dugong. The full grown 
manatee is from ten to twelve feet 
in length. Its long bod v terminates the manatee. 




352 



^HE CETACEA. 



in a thin, wide, shovel-shaped, fibrous, horizontal tail, proportionally broader, but 
resembling somewhat that of the beaver. The fore limbs, or flippers, have dimin- 
utive flat nails. The skin of the body can be compared only to that of the 
elephant, not in color alone, but also in its coarse, wrinkly texture, and widely- 
scattered, delicate, but long hairs. Its deep-set, minute eye is surrounded by 
skin-wrinkles. 




CAT AND SQUIRREL. 




African olepbant and Y ouna. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

ORDER VII — PROBOSCIDEA — ELEPHANTS. 

The order Proboscidea, or animais possessed of a proboscis, or trunk, consists 
of two living species, the Indian and African elephant, and two extinct genera 
known as Dinotherium and Mastodon. The elephant, from its large size and its 
singular sagacity, attracted the attention of man in the earliest times, and was 
always looked upon with feelings of awe and reverence. At the present time the 
African savage, in the region of the Congo, compasses its death with the mysteri- 
ous aid of the medicine man, as well as by the ordinary means of hunting. The 
animal, in early times, was used both for purposes of war and peace, and figures, 
at the present time, alike in the gorgeous retinue of Indian princes, and ministers 
to the more humble and more useful services of the husbandman. The ivory fur- 
nished by its tusks was known in the remotest antiquity. 

The elephants were used in war by the Indian nations, and were looked upon 
as most formidable engines in battle. By the aid of these huge creatures, to a 
large extent, they conquered and held possession of the region of Central Asia 
west of the Indus. These elephants were well trained, and taught to hold out one 
of their hind legs horizontally, when it was necessary to mount them in a hurry. 
They appeared to take considerable delight and satisfaction in the gaudy trappings 
with which they were usually decorated. In some cases, elephants have proved 
more dangerous to the arm y in whose ranks they were serving than to the enemy, 
by being suddenly confronted with objects previously unobserved. On such occa- 
sions they turn in haste, and spread terror and death into their own ranks. Care- 
ful, judicious, and long continued training was the only remedy against these sud- 
den surprises. 

The shape of the elephant is familiar to every one. The trunk or proboscis, 
from which the name of the order to which this animal belongs is derived, is cer- 
tainly a remarkable and wonderful organ. It is really a prolongation of the nose, 
of a sub-conical form, consisting of two tubes divided by a septum. At the 
extremity on the upper side, above the opening of the nostrils, is a lengthened pro- 
cess to be looked upon in the light of a finger ; beneath this finger is a tubercle, 
opposable to it, and acting, so to speak, as a thumb. With this organ, which is 
nearly eight feet in length, of considerable stoutness, and extreme sensibility, the 

23 353 



354 THE PROBOSCIDEA. 



elephant is enabled to uproot or shake trees, lift a cannon, or pick up a pin. By 
its aid, food and water are carried to the mouth, and when necessary, it can be 
converted into a syringe or a shower bath. The length of the organ does away 
with the necessity of a long neck, a short and muscular neck being absolutely 
required for the support of the enormous head and tusks. 

The principal characteristics of the Indian species, as compared with the Afri- 
can, are the small ears, concave forehead, small eye, lighter color, and the posses- 
sion of four instead of three nails or hoofs on the hind foot. 

THE INDIAN ELEPHANT. There are but two species of elephant, viz., 
the Indian and the African. In size, notwithstanding the differences of opinion 
to be found between certain writers on this subject, some saying that the Indian 
and others that the African elephant is the larger, it seems perfectly clear that 
there cannot be much difference between that of the two species, and that the 
maximum height is about eleven feet. 

The Indian elephant is found over the greater part of the forest-lands of India, 
Ceylon, Burmah, Siam, Cochin-China, the Malay Peninsula, and Sumatra. Unlike 
the African species, to a certain extent, it appears to have a partiality for coolness 
and shade. 

In some parts of the country elephants are exceedingly destructive to crops of 
grain. And in various parts of India, notwithstanding the care and trouble taken 
to watch the crops, they do much injury. When the rice approaches maturity it 
is necessary to place watchers throughout the night in places which they frequent. 
Stages are erected on posts twelve or fourteen feet high, and on one side of the 
stage a small shed is made for the watchmen, two of whom always mount the 
same stage. One feeds a fire kept constantly burning on the open part, while the 
other in his turn is allowed to sleep, and when any elephants come into the field, 
he is awakened, and both join in shouting and making all the noise they can with 
sticks and drums. 

The food of the elephant appears to be considerably varied, and chosen by the 
animal with no small amount of daintiness; sweet-tasting fruits, seeds, and blos- 
soms he has the greatest partiality for, and in their selection much destruction is 
occasioned by a herd of these huge animals. Tennent says that in Ceylon, where 
the food of the elephant is most abundant, the animal never appears to be in a 
hurry to eat, but amuses himself with playing with the leaves, shaking the trees, 
tearing the bark, and now and then pausing to eat, altogether taking the whole 
affair in a very leisurely sort of way. He is especially fond of the fruit of the 
palmyra palm, and never fails to make his appearance in the districts where these 
trees grow when the fruit begins to fall to the ground. Although the amount of 
food consumed by elephants in their wild state is very large, there is reason to 
believe that many stories told of their extraordinary eating capabilities are much 
exaggerated. It by no means follows that because an elephant in a tame state will 




THE INDIAN ELEPHANT 



356 THE PROBOSCIDEA. 



eat so much bread, turnips, hay, etc., that it consumes the same quantity of its 
natural food in a wild state. The elephants are believed to drink nightly in very 
hot weather, but in cooler weather only every third or fourth day, and for this 
purpose they travel long distances to their watering places, even as far as ten or 
twenty miles, refreshing themselves with a bath and a drink at the same time when 
they reach their destination. 

Various modes are used for catching elephants; but the usual and most satis- 
factory practice is to drive them into what is termed a keddah. The keddah is a 
large area surrounded by a broad ditch, and toward the entrance is a similar con- 
struction to the main body, acting as a sort of funnel, into which the elephants 
enter when driven from a jungle, and which assists in getting them into the 
keddah itself. 

On discovering a large herd of elephants, a body of men, often numbering six 
or eight thousand, are collected to surround them, carrying all sorts of instruments 
likely to create a noise, such as firearms, drums, trumpets, etc., elephants being 
exceedingly alarmed by any unusual noises. By this means they are gradually 
driven into the keddah, sometimes from a distance of thirty or forty miles, which 
frequently occupies some days. When the elephants find themselves fairly 
entrapped, they become violent and use their utmost endeavors to break down the 
barriers. 

Formerly, it was the practice to starve these captured elephants into sub- 
mission. Now, however, by means of two tame ones trained for the purpose, 
they can be captured without injury, one by one, and afterward bound to a tree. 
To accomplish this the trained animals are sent into the inclosure, and on a wild 
elephant being singled out, the two trained ones place themselves one on each 
side, and attract its attention while the attendants are occupied in binding its 
legs, w r hich, having been satisfactorily accomplished, the captive is dragged to a 
tree and fastened firmly, where it remains until reduced to submission and obe- 
dience by kindness and good feeling. 

Indian elephants are also sometimes captured by means of pitfalls formed in a 
similar manner to those used in Africa. There is, however, one great objection to 
this mode of capture, which is, that the animal is rendered very liable, from the 
heavy fall it sustains, of being seriously hurt, and indeed some injuries thus 
received have often proved fatal. 

Another way of catching these animals in some districts of India is by means 
of the lasso. Two trained females are procured for the purpose. These are pro- 
vided with a long rope which is fastened to their girdle, and then coiled on their 
backs. Its end forms a noose, which a man, who sits on the back of the female, 
throws round the neck of the wild elephant. The tame one then walks away until 
the captured one is almost strangled. In the meantime the people, assisted by 
another tame female, endeavor to fasten ropes to his legs, and he is dragged to 
a place where there are trees, to which he is fastened until he becomes tame. 



THE INDIAN ELEPHANT. 357 

The elephants caught in this manner are usually small, and the majority, from 
some reason or other, die, probably from the rough usage they have undergone. 

Elephant shooting, especially in Ceylon, is considered to be the acme of sport, 
but from the numbers that have been wantonly destroyed, an order has been 
issued by the Governor prohibiting their destruction. The elephant is invaluable 
as a laborer. Its assistance in road making, bridge building, plowing, piling logs, 
lifting weights, and other similar operations, is of the utmost service. Even as a 
nurse for young children, its services, we are told, are sometimes required. An 
Indian officer relates that he has seen the wife of a mahout (for the followers 
often take their families with them to camp), give a baby in charge of an elephant, 
while she went on some business, and has been highly amused in observing the 
sagacity and care of the unwieldy nurse. The child, which, like most children, 
did not like to be at rest in one position, would, as soon as left to itself, begin 
crawling about, in which exercise it would probably get among the legs of the 
animal, or entangled in the branches of the trees on which he was feeding, when 
the elephant would in the most tender manner disengage his charge, either by 
lifting it out of the way with his trunk, or by removing the impediments to its 
free progress. If the child had crawled to such a distance as to verge upon the 
limits of his range (for the animal was chained by the leg to a peg driven in the 
ground), he would stretch out his trunk and lift it back as gently as possible to 
the spot whence it started. 

Endless other stories are told of the sagacity of this noble animal, some of 
them, however, probably not ungarnished with considerable exaggeration. How- 
ever, this creature does undoubtedly possess a most wonderful amount of intelli- 
gence, and it is believed that the Indian species, both in sagacity and docility, 
surpasses the African. 

The White Elephants, held in reverence in Siam, and extremely rare, are not 
distinct from the rest; they are merely albinos, or white varieties, and are to be 
viewed in the same light as white blackbirds or white sparrows. 

THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT is distinguished at once from the Indian 
species by the great size of its ears, its larger eye, convex forehead, darker color 
of skin, and by possessing ouly three instead of four nails or hoofs in the hind foot. 
It is indigenous to Africa, being found south of the Sahara as far as Cape Colony, 
and from the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic. It formerly lived north of the 
Sahara. 

Unlike the Indian species^ both the males and the females are provided with 
tusks. The African differs ?\so considerably in his habits, for while the Indian 
enjoys coolness and shade, the African is more or less exposed to the burning sun. 

According to Sir Samuel Baker, " In Africa the country being generally more 
open than in Ceylon, the elephant remains throughout the day either beneath a 
solitary tree, or exposed to the sun in the vast prairies, where the thick grass 



358 THE PROBOSCIDEA. 



attains a height of from nine to twelve feet. The general food of the African 
elephant consists of the foliage of trees, especially of mimosas. Many of the 
mimosas are flat-headed, about thirty feet high, and the richer portion of the 
foliage confined to the crown. Thus, the elephant, not being able to reach to so 
great a height, must overturn the tree to procure the coveted food. The destruc- 
tion caused by a herd of elephants in a mimosa forest is extraordinary, and I have 
seen trees uprooted of so large a size that I am convinced no single elephant could 
have overturned them. I have measured trees four feet six inches in circum- 
ference, and about thirty feet high, uprooted by elephants. The natives have 
assured me that they mutually assist each other, and that several engage together 
in the work of overturning a large tree. None of the. mimosas have tap roots; 
thus the powerful tusks of the elephants applied as crowbars at the roots, while 
others pull at the branches with their trunks, will effect the destruction of a tree 
so large as to appear invulnerable." 

The elephant is widely diffused through the vast forests, and is met with in 
herds of various numbers. The male is much larger than the female. He is pro- 
vided with two enormous tusks. These are long, tapering, and beautifully arched ; 
their length averages from six to eight feet, and they weigh from sixty to a 
hundred pounds each. In the vicinity of the equator the elephants attain to a^ 
larger size than to the southward ; and I am in possession of a pair of tusks of the 
African bull elephant, the larger of which measures ten feet nine inches in length, 
and weighs one hundred and seventy-three pounds. 

Old bull elephants are found singly or in pairs, or consorting together in small 
herds, varying from six to twenty individuals. The younger bulls remain for 
many years in the company of their mothers, and these are met together in large 
herds of from twenty to a hundred individuals. The food of the elephant consists 
of branches, leaves, and roots of the trees, and also of a variety of bulbs, of the 
situation of which he is advised by his exquisite sense of smell. To obtain these 
he turns up the ground with his tusks, and whole acres may be seen thus plowed 
up. Elephants consume an immense quantity of food, and pass the greater part of 
the day and night in feeding. Like the whale in the ocean, the elephant on land is 
acquainted with, and roams over, wide and extensive tracts. He is extremely par- 
ticular in always frequenting the freshest and most verdant districts of the forests, 
and when one district is parched and barren, he will forsake it for years a>nd 
wander great distances in quest of better pastures. The elephant entertains an 
extraordinary horror of man, and a child can put a hundred of them to flight by 
passing at a quarter of a mile to windward ; and when thus disturbed they go a 
long way before they halt. It is surprising how soon these sagacious animals are 
aware of the presence of a hunter in their domains. When one troop has been 
attacked, all of the other elephants frequenting the district are aware of the fact 
within two or three days, when they all forsake it and migrate to distant parts, 
leaving the hunter no alternative but to remove to fresh ground. 



THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT. 



359 



This constitutes one of the greatest difficulties which a skilful elephant-hunter 
encounters. Even in the most remote parts, which may be reckoned the head- 
quarters of the elephant, it is only occasionally, and with inconceivable toil and 




hardship, that the eye of the hunter is cheered by the sight of one. Owing to 
habits peculiar to himself, the elephant is more inaccessible and much more rarely 
seen than any other game quadruped, excepting certain rare antelopes. They 
choose for their resort the most lonely and secluded depths of the forest, generally 
at a very great distance from the rivers and fountains at which they drink. In dry 



360 THE PROBOSCIDEA. 



and warm weather they visit these waters nightly; but in cool and cloudy weather 
they drink only once every third or fourth day. About sundown the elephant 
leaves his distant midday haunt, and commences his march toward the fountain, 
which is probably from twelve to twenty miles distant. This he generally reaches 
between the hours of nine and midnight, when, having slaked his thirst and cooled 
his body by spouting large volumes of water over his back with his trunk, he 
resumes the path to his forest solitudes. Having reached a secluded spot, I have 
remarked that full grown bulls lie down on their broadsides about the hour of 
midnight and sleep for a few hours. The spot which they usually select is an ant- 
hill, and they lie around it with their backs resting against it. These hills, formed 
by the white ants, are from thirty to forty feet in diameter at their base. The 
mark of the under tusk is always deeply imprinted in the ground, proving that 
they lie upon their sides. I never remarked that females had thus lain down, and 
it is only in the more secluded districts that the bulls adopt this practice ; for I 
observed that, in districts where the elephants were liable to frequent disturbance, 
they took repose standing on their legs beneath some shady tree. Having slept, 
they then proceed to feed extensively. Spreading out from one another, and pro- 
ceeding in a zigzag course, they smash and destroy all the finest trees in the forest 
which happen to lie in their course. The number of goodly trees which a herd of 
bull elephants will thus destroy is utterly incredible. They are extremely capri- 
cious, and on coming to a group of five or six trees they break down, not unfre- 
quently, the whole of them, when, having perhaps only tasted one or two small 
branches, they pass on and continue their wanton work of destruction. I have 
repeatedly ridden through forests where the trees thus broken down lay so thick 
across one another that it was almost impossible to ride through the district; and 
it is in situations such as these that attacking the elephant is attended with most 
danger. During the night they will feed in open plains and thickly wooded dis- 
tricts, but as day dawns, they retire to the densest covers within reach, which nine 
times in ten are composed of the' impracticable wait-a-bit thorns ; and here they 
remain drawn up in a compact herd during the heat of the day. In remote dis- 
tricts, however, and in cool weather, I have known herds to continue pasturing 
throughout the whole day. 

The African elephant is not now hunted for domestic purposes, but for the 
sake of the flesh and of the ivory ; and its death is a grand affair for the natives, 
since it affords opportunity not merely for a feast, but for obtaining fat for internal 
and external uses. There are various methods of killing them. Pitfalls are most 
common, and are generally placed in the neighborhood of a drinking place, the 
natives showing great skill in felling trees, so as to turu the elephants into them. 
According to Sir Samuel Baker, " The pits are usually about twelve feet long, and 
three feet broad, by nine deep ; these are artfully made, decreasing toward the bot- 
tom to the breadth of a foot. The general elephant route to the drinking places 
being blocked up, the animals are diverted by a treacherous path tpward the 



\| ( ^aji^^^^^M ste^sr" 




JUMBO AT WORK AND PLAY, 



361 



362 THE PROBOSCIDEA. 



water, the route intersected by numerous pits, all of which are carefully concealed 
by sticks and straw, the latter being usually strewn with elephants' dung, to create 
a natural effect. Should an elephant during the night fall through the deceitful 
surface, his foot becomes jammed in the bottom of the narrow grave, and he labors 
shoulder-deep, with two feet in the pitfall so fixed that extrication is impossible. 
Should one animal be thus caught, a sudden panic seizes the rest of the herd, and 
in their hasty retreat one or more are generally victims to the numerous pits in 
the vicinity. Once helpless in the pit, they are easily killed with lances.'' 

The same author also relates that sometimes the elephant hunters, or agga- 
geers, of the Hamran tribe, use swords for killing elephants. They follow the 
tracks of the animal, " so as to arrive at their game between the hours of 10 and 12 
A. M., at which time it is either asleep or extremely listless, and easy to approach. 
Should they discover the animal asleep, one of the hunters would creep stealthily 
toward the head, and with one blow sever the trunk while stretched upon the 
ground ; in which case the elephant would start upon his feet, while the hunters 
escaped in the confusion of the moment. The trunk severed would cause a loss of 
blood sufficient to insure the death of the elephant within about an hour. On the 
other hand, should the animal be awake upon their arrival, it would be impossible 
to approach the trunk. In such a case, they would creep up from behind, and 
give a tremendous cut at the back sinew of the hind leg, about a foot above the 
heel. Such a blow would disable the elephant at once, and would render compara- 
tively easy a second cut to the remaining leg. These were the methods adopted 
by poor hunters, until by the sale of ivory they could purchase horses for the 
higher branch of the art. Provided with horses, the party of hunters should not 
exceed four. They start before daybreak, and ride slowly throughout the country 
in search of elephants, generally keeping along the course of a river until they 
come upon the tracks where a herd, or a single elephant, may have drank during 
the night. When once upon the track, they follow fast toward the retreating 
game. The elephants may be twenty miles distant, but it matters little to the 
aggageers. At length they discover them, and the hunt begins. The first step is 
to single out the bull with the largest tusks; this is the commencement of the 
fight. After a short hunt, the elephant turns upon his pursuers, who scatter and 
fly from his headlong charge until he gives up the pursuit; he at length turns to 
bay, when again pressed by the hunters. It is the duty of one man in particular to 
ride up close to the head of the elephant, and thus to absorb its attention upon him- 
self. This insures a desperate charge. The greatest coolness and dexterity are 
then required by the hunter, who, now the hunted, must so adapt the speed of his 
horse to the pace of the elephant that the enraged beast gains in the race, until it 
almost reaches the tail of the horse. In this manner the race continues. . In the 
meantime, two hunters gallop up behind the elephant, unseen by the animal, whose 
attention is completely directed to the horse almost within his grasp. With 
extreme agility, when close to the heels of the elephant, one of the hunters, while 



THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT. 



363 



at full speed, springs to the ground with his drawn sword, as his companion seizes 
the bridle, and with one dexterous two-handed blow he severs the back sinew. 
He immediately jumps out of the way, and remounts his horse ; but if the blow is 
successful, the elephant is ham-strung, and, as it cannot run rapidly on three legs, 
is easily killed." 

Elephant shooting, although not unattended by danger, appears to be on the 
whole accomplished with considerable success, five or six elephants having been 
killed occasionally in a very short space of time by one man ; and many are the 




the mammoth. {Restored^) 

tales of hairbreadth escapes related to us by Gordon Cumming, Tennent, Baker, 
and others. 

FOSSIL ELEPHANTS. 

The Proboscidea, represented, as we have already seen, by two species only 
among living animals, both of which are met with in and near the tropical regions 
of the Old World, in the fossil state are met with over nearly the whole of the 
Old World, and of the New. 

By far the best known and most important of these huge creatures is the far- 
famed mammoth. This elephant has been found frozen in Siberian soil beautifully 
preserved, with the hair and tissues in so good condition that microscopical sections 
have been made of them. 

The story of finding the first mammoth embedded in the ice has been often 
told, but is still of sufficient interest to be related again. A Tungoosian fisherman, 



364 THE PROBOSCIDEA. 



named Schumachoff, about the year 1799, was proceeding, as is the custom of 
fishermen in those parts when fishing proves a failure, along the shores of the Lena 
in quest of mammoth tusks, which have been found there in considerable abun- 
dance. During his rambles, having gone farther than he had done before, he sud- 
denly came face to face with a huge mammoth embedded in clear ice. This extra- 
ordinary sight seems to have filled him with astonishment and awe; for instead of 
at once profiting by the fortunate discovery, he allowed several vears to roll on 
before he summoned courage to approach it closely, although it was his habit to 
make stealthy journeys occasionally to the object of his wonder. At length, see- 
ing, it is presumed, the terrific monster made no signs of eating him up, and that 
its tusks would bring him a considerable sum of money, he allowed the hope of 
gain to overcome his superstitious scruples. He boldly broke the barrier of ice, 
chopped off the tusks, and left the carcass to the mercy of the wolves and bears, 
who, finding it palatable, soon reduced the huge creature to a skeleton. Some 
two years afterward a man of science was on the scent, and although so late in at 
the death, found a huge skeleton with three legs, the eyes still in the orbits, and 
the brain uninjured in the skull. 

In addition to the peculiarity of the mammoth having its body covered with 
long woollyhair.it was also remarkable for the extraordinary formation of its 
enormous tusks, which curved upward, forming a spiral. The remains of the 
mammoth are met with in incredible numbers in the river deposits of Middle and 
Northern Europe, as well as those of North America, showing that in ancient 
times the animal ranged over a tract of land extending from the Mediterranean to 
the Arctic Sea, and from Behring's Straits to the Gulf of Mexico. It is also met 
with in the caves of Middle Europe, having been dragged into them by the 
hyenas, or having fallen a prey to the ancient hunter. 

ORDER VIII. HVRACOIDEA (CONIES). 

The order of animals known to naturalists as hyracoidea contains but one 
genus, called hyrax. All travelers who have noticed the hyrax are agreed that it 
is a most wary and crafty animal, and that the utmost caution is required even to 
obtain a view of it, and to kill one requires a most skillful and practiced sportsman. 

The hyrax is a little animal clothed with a brownish fur, of about the size of an 
ordinary rabbit, to which, indeed, it has some resemblance. It is allied to the rhi- 
noceros, the tapir, and rodents; but the whole form of the skeleton approaches 
more nearly to that of the two former than it does to any known species of the 
latter. It is found living at the Cape of Good Hope, inhabiting the hollows and 
caves of the rocks, both on the hillsides and on the seashore, a little above high 
water mark. It seems to live in families, and in its wild state is remarkably shy. 
In the cold weather it is fond of coming out of its hole and warming itself in the 
sun on the side of a rock, and in summer it enjoys the breeze on the top of the 



THE HYRACOIDEA. 365 



hills, but in both instances, as well as when it feeds, a sentinel is always placed on 
the lookout, generally an old male, which gives notice of any approach of danger 
by a long shrill cry. 

" Its principal food is the young tops of shrubs, especially those which are 
aromatic, but it also eats herbs, grass, and the tops of flowers. To eat it tastes 
much liice a rabbit. It is recorded that one gentleman caught two young ones 
which he kept for some time. The)' became very tame, and as they were allowed 
the run of the house would follow him about, jump onto his lap, or creep into his 
bed for the sake of warmth. One brought home by Mr. Hennah would also run 
inquisitively about the cabins, climbing up and examining every person and thing, 
but startled by any noise, it would run away and hide itself. When shut up for 
long, it became savage, and snarled and tried to bite at everything that came in 
its way. This animal, both when wild as well as when tame, is very cleanly in its 
habits. From its faintly crying in its sleep it may be supposed that it dreams. 
It has also been heard to chew its food at night. When tame it will eat a variety 
of things, the leaves of plants, bruised Indian corn, raw potatoes, bread and 
onions, and will greedily lick up salt. The one brought home by Mr. Hennah was 
very sensible of the cold, for when a candle was placed near its cage, it would 
come as close as possible to the bars and sit still to receive as much warmth as it 
could. I am inclined to think that the female does not produce more than two 
young ones at a time, from having observed in several instances but two following 
the old ones. Its name at the Cape is the dasse, which is, I believe, the Dutch for 
a badsrer. 




INDIAN ELEPHANT. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

ORDER IX. UNGULATA (HOOFED QUADRUPEDS). 

The hoofed quadrupeds are so called because they possess hoofs, from which 
fact the order Ungulata takes its name, and they include animals of widely different 
appearance, such as the horse, rhinoceros, giraffe, camel, and the like. They are 
classified into sub-orders, according to the odd or even number of toes, those 
having an odd number on the hind foot being termed the Perissodactyla, such as 
the horse, tapir and rhinoceros; and the Artiodactyla, or animals with an even 
number of toes on their hind feet, such as the pig, hippopotamus, sheep, ox, deer, 
and the like. All the animals belonging to the order feed upon vegetables, with 
the exception of the pig and peccary, which are omnivorous ; and none of them 
are provided with sharp edged cutting back teeth, adapted for dividing flesh, such 
as are found in the carnivora — lions, tigers, wolves and hyenas. The odd-toed 
Ungulates come first. 

FAMILY I.— EQUID.E, THE HORSE TRIBE. 

The Equidae, or horse tribe, comprise several living and many extinct 
species. Three living members are restricted, in a state of nature, to Asia and 
Africa, and are divided into the true horses, which have horny patches or callos- 
ities on the inner sides of both pairs of limbs, and the asses, which possess such 
callosities only on the fore limb. With the latter are classed the zebras and the 
quaggas. 

The true horses are represented by one well established species, from which 
all the other races, or varieties, are descended, by a process of selection under the 
care of man, and these vary in size, proportion of parts, and color, as much as any 
two closely allied species of wild animals can be said to be defined from each 
other. According to Mr. Darwin, no aboriginal or truly wild horse is positively 
known to exist, for the wild horses of the East may probably be descended from 
those which have escaped from the service of man. In all probability the wild 
animal has been exterminated by the hand of man in those countries which it 
formerly inhabited, and in which it has left its remains to attest its former presence. 

The tarpan and wild horse of Tartary, which are to be found in thousands in 
the great treeless plains, present us with the nearest examples of the stock from 

366 



THE MUSTANG. 367 



which the domestic horses were probably derived. Their color is mouse colored, 
with a stripe along the back. The best and strongest of these are caught by the 
Tartars by the aid of the lasso, and by the help of falcons, which are trained to 
settle on the horse's head, and flutter their wings, so as to take its attention away 
from the approaching hunter. 

The first domestic horses known in Europe were introduced at a very early 
period, long before the dawn of history. The horse was universally used for food 
by man before the historic period, and would be used now in Europe more gener- 
ally than it is, were it not for an edict of the church in the eighth century. As 
Christianity prevailed over the heathen worship, it was banished from the table. 
From the very earliest ages known to the historian in Egvpt and Assyria, horses 
were used for the purposes of war, and were yoked in pairs, and sometimes in 
threes, to the war chariots in which the kings and great captains rode. They are 
generally depicted as being of upright or hog manes. Horsemen were also 
employed by both nations, but they were evidently not thought so important as 
chariots for warlike purposes. 

THE MUSTANG is the wild horse of the American prairies and pampas. 
At the time of the discovery of America there were no horses in any part of that 
continent, although the boundless prairies were admirably fitted for the support 
of countless herds. Soon, however, those imported by the settlers strayed away, 
and as a consequence are now to be met with in enormous numbers, in some cases 
amounting, it is said, to ten thousand in one troop. They appear to be under the 
command of a leader, the strongest and boldest of the herd, whom they implicitly 
obey. When threatened with danger, at some signal understood by them all, 
they either close into a dense mass and trample their enemy to death, or, placing 
the mares and foals in the center, they form themselves into a circle and welcome 
him with their heels. The leader first faces the danger, and when prudence 
requires a retreat all follow his rapid flight. In the thinly inhabited parts of South 
America, according to Youatt, it is dangerous to fall in with any of these troops. 
The wild horses approach as near as they dare ; they call to the loaded horse with 
the greatest eagerness, and if the rider is not on the alert, and has not considerable 
strength of arm and sharpness of spur, his animal will divest himself of his bur- 
den, take to his heels, and be gone forever. 

The city of Buenos Ayres was abandoned by the Spanish colonists soon after 
its settlement in 1535, and about half a dozen horses were left behind. The city 
was again occupied in 1580, and the new comers saw, to their astonishment, that 
the neighborhood was swarming with wild horses. The descendants of these 
Spanish derelicts are now spread in every part of the pampas, and have been seen 
in troops of ten thousand. They possess much of the form of the Spanish horse, 
but are not speedy; they are capable of enduring immense fatigue, and are fre- 
quently ridden sixty or seventy miles without drawing bit, while they have been 



368 THE UNGULATA. 



known to be urged on by the cruel spur of the Gauchos more than a hundred 
miles a day, at the rate of twelve miles an hour. They know no pace between the 
walk and the gallop, and at the end of the day's journey are turned loose on the 
plains. The mares are never ridden, and when the Gaucho or native Indian of 
the South American ptains wants a horse, he sets out armed with his lasso, 
mounted on a horse that has been used to the work. He gallops alongside a 
troop of the wild horses, and as soon as he comes sufficiently near his prey, the 
lasso is thrown round the two hind legs, and as the Gaucho rides a little to one 
side, the jerk pulls the entangled horse's feet laterally, and throws him on his side, 
without endangering his knees or his face. Before the horse can recover the 
shock, the rider dismounts, and snatching \\\% poncho, or cloak from his shoulders, 
wraps it round the prostrate animal's head. He then forces into his mouth one of 
the powerful bridles of the country, straps a saddle on his back, and, bestriding 
him, removes the poncho ; upon which the astonished horse springs on his legs, 
and endeavors by a thousand vain efforts to disencumber himself of his new mas- 
ter, who sits quite composedly on his back, and, bv a discipline which never fails, 
reduces the horse to such complete obedience, that he is soon trained to lend his 
whole speed and strength to the capture of his companions. 

When the Gauchos have a grand breaking-in, a whole herd is driven into the 
corral. A young horse is lassoed by the neck and dragged out ; some men on 
foot lasso his fore legs and throw him ; in an instant a Gaucho is seated on his 
head, and, with his long knife, in a few seconds cuts off the whole of the horse's 
mane, while another cuts the hair from the end of his tail ; this is a mark that the 
horse has been once mounted. They then put a piece of hide into his mouth to 
serve for a bit, and a strong hide halter on his head. The Gaucho who is to 
mount arranges his spurs, which are unusually long and sharp, and while two men 
hold the horse by his ears, he puts on the saddle, which he girths extremely tight. 
He then catches hold of the horse's ear, and in an instant vaults into the saddle ; 
upon which the man who holds the horse by the halter throws the end to the 
rider, and from that moment no one takes any further notice of him. 

"The horse instantly began," Sir F. Head writes, "to j*ump in a manner which 
made it very difficult for the rider to keep his seat, and quite different from the 
kick or plunge of an English horse ; however, the Gaucho's spurs soon set him 
going, and off he galloped, doing everything in his power to throw his rider. 

"Another horse was immediately brought from the corral ; and so quick was 
the operation, that twelve Gauchos were mounted in a space which I think hardly 
exceeded an hour. It was wonderful to see the different manner in which differ- 
ent horses behaved. Some would actually scream while the Gauchos were gird- 
ing the saddle upon their backs ; some would instantly lie down and roll upon it ; 
while some would stand without being held, their legs stiff and in unnatural posi- 
tions, their necks half bent toward their tails, and looking vicious and obstinate ; 
and I could not help thinking that I would not have mounted one of those for any 



THE MUSTANG— THE ARAB. 



369 



reward that could be offered me, for they were invariably the most difficult to 
subdue. 

" It was now curious to look around and see the Gauchos on the horizon in 
different directions, trying to bring their horses back to the corral, which is the 
most difficult part of their work, for the poor creatures had been so scared there 
that they were unwilling to return to the place. It was amusing to see the antics 




THE ARAB Hnk>K. 



of the horses; they were jumping and dancing in different ways, while the right 
arm of the Gauchos was seen flogging them. At last they brought the horses 
back, apparently subdued and broken in. The saddles and bridles were taken off, 
and the young horses trotted off toward the corral, neighing to one another." 

Such is the life of the wild steeds that run over the wide plains of the Argen- 
tine Republic, Paraguay and Central Brazil. The mustangs north of the Isthmus of 
Panama are derived from Mexican horses which have escaped into the woods and 
savannas and roamed northward to the Rocky Mountains. The Indians have learned 
24 



370 THE UNGULATA. 



to capture them, and employ them in transporting their families from place to place. 
The highest ambition of the young Indian is to possess a good horse ; and to steal 
a horse is almost as glorious as to scalp an enemy. The Indian pony, as it is 
called, is barely fourteen hands high, rather light built, with good legs, straight 
shoulders, short, strong back, and full barrel. He has no appearance of " blood " 
except sharp, nervous ears, and intelligent eyes. He is never stabled, washed, 
rubbed, shod, nor fed ; in winter he is an animated skeleton, sustaining a bare 
existence on cottonwood branches ; but when spring brings out the tender grass, 
he is soon in condition "worthy to be trusted to the death." After endurance, the 
best quality of the Indian pony is his sureness of foot. He climbs rocks like a 
mule, he plunges down precipices like a buffalo, and crosses swamps like an elk. 
The amount of work got out of him by the Indians is considerable, and in Indian 
hands and with Indian bits he is tractable. But he does not receive civilization 
any better than his master. According to General Dodge, "He is either a morose, 
ill-tempered brute, hard to manage, and always dangerous, or he degenerates into 
a fat, lazy, short-breathed cob, fit only for a baby or an octogenarian. Prosperity 
spoils him, and his true character and value are best displayed in adversity." 
Among the Indians, a " pony" is the standard of value by which the price of wives 
and other chattels is fixed. 

THE ARAB. The Arabian horse would not be acknowledged by every one 
to be perfect in form. The head, however, is inimitable. "The broadness and 
squareness of the forehead," writes Youatt, "the smallness of the ears, the prom- 
inence and brilliancy of the eye, the shortness and fineness of the muzzle, the 
width of the nostril, the thinness of the lower jaw, and the beautifully developed 
course of the veins, will always characterize the head of the Arabian horse. The 
neck of the Arabian is long and arched, and beautifully joined to the chest. In the 
formation of the shoulder, next to that of the head, the Arab is superior to any 
other breed." 

A true Arab of Arabia never mounts a stallion, and never parts with his 
mare. The'owner of a mare bestows great pains in seeking out for her a mate of 
unblemished descent. The mare and foal live in the tent with the Bedouin and 
his children, who roll about with her and her foal ; no accident ever occurs, and 
the animal becomes a loving friend. At the end of a month the foal is weaned, 
and is fed for three months on camel's milk ; then a little wheat is allowed for 
another three months; at the expiration of this time, the young animal is allowed 
to graze near the tent, and some barley is given it. The kindness with which the 
Arab is treated from her very birth gives her an affection for her master, a wish to 
please, a pride in exerting every energy, and an apparent sagacity, which is seldom 
seen in other breeds. 

When the rider falls from his mare, and is unable to rise, she will immediately 
stand still and neigh until assistance arrives. If he lies down to sleep, as fatigue 



THE ARAB— THE RACE HORSE. 



371 



sometimes compels him, in the midst of the desert, she stands watchful over him, 
and neighs and rouses him if either man or beast approaches. The Arab horses 
are taught to rest occasionally in a standing position ; and a great many of them 
never lie down. 

The Arab loves his horse as truly and as much as the horse loves him ; and 
no little portion of his leisure time is often spent in talking to and caressing his 
faithful steed. 

The following anecdote of the attachment of an Arab to his mare has often 




AMERICAN TROTTING HORSE. 



been told: "The whole stock of an Arab of the desert consisted of a mare. The 
French consul offered to purchase her, in order to send her to his sovereign, 
Louis XIV. The Arab would have rejected the proposal, but he was miserably 
poor. He had scarcely a rag to cover him, and his wife and children were 
starving. The sum offered him was great. It would provide him and his family 
with food for life. At length, and reluctantly, he yielded. He brought the mare 
to the dwelling of the consul, dismounted, and stood leaning upon her. He 
looked now at the gold, and then at his favorite. ' To whom is it,' said he, ' I am 
going to yield thee up ? To Europeans, who will tie thee close, who will beat 
thee, who will render thee miserable. Return with me, my beauty, my jewel, and 



372 THE UNGULATA. 



rejoice the hearts of ray children.' Thus speaking-, he sprang upon her back, and 
was out of sight in an instant.'' 

THE RACE HORSE. The breed of horses for which England is chiefly 
remarkable is the race horse, resulting from a cross of the English stock with the 
Arabian; and this was chiefly brought about by the care of Mr. Darley. The 
offspring of the Arabian thus introduced was the Devonshire, or Flying Childers, 
the fleetest horse of his time. Descended from the same Arabian was Eclipse, 
who never met an opponent sufficiently fleet to test his powers. He became the 
sire of three hundred and thirty-four winners ; while King Herod, a descendant of 
the same stock, was the sire of no less than four hundred and ninety-seven 
winners. The former of these horses died in 1789, at the age of seventy-five years, 
after realizing for his owner a princely fortune. His skeleton is now preserved in 
the museum at Oxford. The English race horse, in swiftness and energy, elegance 
and grace, surpasses his Arabian progenitor, and is so superior to other European 
breeds that it is usual on the English course to allow foreign horses an advantage 
in the weight that they carry. All English race horses are descended either from 
Arabian or Barb sires. 

THE TROTTING HORSE. Two nations have the credit of introducing- 
a race of horses known as the trotting horse. One of these is Russia, the other 
the United States ; and the latter has so far excelled her rival that the trotting 
horse is now generally known in the Old World as the "trotting horse of America." 
The Russian breed is Arabian on a Flemish stock, and is known as the Orloff 
trotter; but from the bending of the knee when the horse is striding, and the 
trotting action not being carefully looked after, the animal is considered by good 
judges to be only " half-developed." The breed of the American trotter seems to 
have been both Barb and Arabian on an English stock, the well-known Bashaw 
trotters being descended from an imported Barb ancestor, the Grand Bashaw ; 
and Top Gallant was produced by a union of Arabian or Eastern breed with 
some horse, either English or of English origin. One of the greatest American 
trainers of the trotting horse, Hiram Woodruff, says in his work on this subject 
that the English had the stock all along, as much as the Americans, but that the 
method of training and perseverance of the latter have produced the best and 
fastest trotters. 

THE DRAY HORSE. The huge dray horse, in its massive form and pon- 
derous strength, and slowness of gait, forms a striking contrast to the racer and 
the trotting horse. It is as admirably fitted for the slow carriage of heavy 
weights as the two last are for their elegant swiftness. It is as good an example 
of the results of judicious selection on the part of man, for a definite purpose, as 
can be offered by the study of any of the domestic animals. 



DRAY HORSE— SHETLAND PONY. 



373 



THE SHETLAND PONY, an inhabitant of the extremest northern Scot- 
tish Isles, is a very diminutive animal — sometimes not more than seven hands and 
a half in height, and rarely exceeding- nine and a half. He is often exceedingly 
beautiful, with a small head, good-tempered countenance, a short neck, fine toward 
the throttle, shoulders low and thick — in so little a creature far from being a 
blemish— back short, quarters expanded and powerful, legs flat and fine, and 




PAIR OF DRAF 



pretty, round feet. These ponies possess immense strength for their size, will 
fatten upon almost anything, and are perfectly docile. One of them, nine hands 
(or three feet) in height, carried a heavy man the distance of forty miles in one 
day. Its wild, shaggy mane gives it somewhat the appearance, as has been 
remarked, of a Skye terrier. It is mischievous and skittish, and generally harder 
to ride than a larger horse. 



374 



THE UNGULATA. 




SHETLAND PONY. 



THE ASS. Four species of asses and three of zebras are described by nat- 
uralists, but our domestic animal is probably descended from one alone, that of 
Abyssinia. In this country, and generally in Central Europe, the ass has not 
given rise to distinct breeds like those of the horse. Its small size is probably due 
far more to want of care in breeding than to cold, for in Western India it is not 
much larger than a Newfoundland dog, being generally not more than from 
twenty to thirty inches high. 

The asses, besides the characters above mentioned, have the upper part of the 
tail covered with short hairs, while the lower part terminates in a long hairy tuft. 
Horny excrescences, or warts, exist on the fore legs alone. In this country asses 
are small and without much variation, because their points have not been selected. 
When, however, care is taken in breeding, the result is as remarkable as in the 
case of the horse. Near Cordova, according to Mr. Darwin, they are carefully 
bred, as much as one thousand dollars having been paid for a stallion ass. Asses 
from Spain, Malta and France have been introduced into Kentucky for the 
breeding of mules, which have been raised by the care of the Kentuckians from 
their original size of fourteen hands to sixteen hands in height. Great prices are 
put on these splendid animals, one of great celebrity having been sold for over five 
thousand dollars. 

Asses have always been in repute in the East, and much pains have been 
taken in their breeding. They are frequently mentioned in the Bible, from which 
it appears that white asses were used by people of high rank. 



THE ASS— MULE AND HINNY. 



375 



THE MULE AND HINNY. The hybrid offspring of the ass and the mare 
is the mule, while the hinny is that of the horse and female ass. Of these the mule 
is by far the larger, taking more the form and appearance, as well as the dimen- 
sions, of the mare; while the latter assumes so much of the nature and general 
appearance of the ass as to render the breeding of it undeserving of attention. 



BURCHELL'S ZEBRA is found in great numbers north of the Orange 
River, and, according to Sir Cornwallis Harris, " Seldom congregating in herds of 




mmm 



THE WILD ASS OF ABYSSINIA. 



fewer than eighty or a hundred, it abounds to a great extent in all the districts 
included between that noble stream and the southern tropic. Occupying the 
same regions and delighting in the same pastures as the brindled gnu, rarely is it 
to be seen except in the companionship of that fantastic animal, whose presence 
would seem to be almost indispensable to its happiness. It is singular enough 
that the members of two families so foreign to each other should display so great 
a predilection for each other's society, uniformly mixing as they do, and herding 
in bonds of the closest friendship. Fierce, strong, fleet, and surpassingly beautiful, 



376 



THE UNGULATA. 



there is, perhaps, no quadruped in the creation, not even excepting the mountain 
zebra, more splendidly attired, or presenting a picture of more singularly 
attractive beauty, than this freeborn child of the desert." 

The true zebra inhabits the hilly districts of Southern Africa, and is remark- 
able for its beauty, and its fierce and untamable nature. It is by far the most com 




BURCHELL S ZEBRAS. 



spicuous and most beautiful of the ass tribe. The stripes which define it from the 
ordinary asses are remarkably like those of the tiger in their arrangement. Those 
on its legs are horizontal, while those on its body are for the most part vertical. 

THE QUAGGA, which is less attractively colored, and inhabits a different 
tract of country, is also described by Sir Cornwallis Harris, as follows: "The 
geographical range of the quagga does not appear to extend to the northward of 



THE QUAGGA. 



377 



the River Vaal. The animal was formerly extremely common within the colony, 
but, vanishing before the strides of civilization, is now to be found in very limited 
numbers, and on the borders only. Beyond, on those sultry plains which are 
completely taken possession of by wild beasts, and may with strict propriety be 
termed the domains of savage nature, it occurs in interminable herds; and, 
although never intermixing with its more elegant congeners, it is almost inva- 




THE QUAGGA. 

riably to be found ranging with the white-tailed gnu and with the ostrich, for 
the society of which bird especially it evinces the most singular predilection, 
Moving slowly across the profile of the ocean-like horizon, uttering a shrill, 
barking neigh, of which its name forms a correct imitation, long files of quaggas 
continually remind the early traveler of a rival caravan on its march. * * Bands 
of many hundreds are thus frequently seen during their migration from the dreary 
and desolate plains of some portion of the interior, which has formed their secluded 



378 THE UNGULATA. 



abode, seeking for those more luxuriant pastures where, during the summer 
months, various herbs thrust forth their leaves and flowers to form a green carpet, 
spangled with hues the most brilliant and diversified." 

II. — THE TAPIRIP.-E (FAMILY OF TAPIRS). 

The hog-like creatures which constitute the family of tapirs form the second 
division of the quadrupeds possessed of an uneven number of toes on their hind 
feet, and therefore termed, as has already been said, the Perissodactyla. It must 
not, however, be forgotten that these creatures possess a fourth toe on the fore 
foot, which is small and does not reach to the ground. The family is represented 
by one genus only — Tapirus — which is distributed over wide regions in the warmer 
parts of the Old and the New Worlds. All the animals comprised under it pos- 
sess short and movable trunks, by which they convey their food into their mouths, 
and at the extremity of which are placed the nostrils. They are of a brownish 
black color; the skin is hairy and extremely thick, and the tail is very short. 

The tapir inhabits principally the inmost recesses of dense forests, is nocturnal 
in its habits, and is phytophagous, that is, feeds on vegetables* However, it is 
said also that it is also an indiscriminate swallower of everything, filthy or clean, 
nutritious or otherwise, pieces of wood, clay, pebbles, and bones being not uncom- 
monly found in its stomach; and it is even stated of one that was kept in confine- 
ment that it gnawed a silver snuff-box to pieces and swallowed the contents. 

THE AMERICAN TAPIR is found in almost all parts of South America 
from Buenos Ayres to Central America, and from the Andes to the Atlantic. In 
its habits it is nocturnal, spending the whole of the daytime in the cool shades of 
the densest forests, and coming forth to feed on the surrounding vegetation as 
evening approaches. It is a most powerful animal, and everything in the under- 
wood of the forest gives way to its rush. It has the habit of making runs or roads 
through the brushwood, which beaten tracks are usually selected by travelers in 
passing through the forests. It is stated that it has a most keen sense of smell, 
enabling it to detect its enemies at long distances, when it at once rushes into 
brushwood or thicket so dense that neither man nor horse can follow. It never 
attacks man without being very hardly pressed and brought to bay. 

It is excessively fond of the water, being a most expert swimmer, and usually 
keeping to a particular track in the element in which it indulges. 

The American species is characterized by having the general color through- 
out of a deep brown, approaching to black; but the sides of the lower lip, band on 
the under and middle part of the chin, upper edges of the ears, and naked line at 
the bottom of the hoofs, are snowy white. The scanty hair of the body is very 
short, and is hardly to be distinguished at a comparatively short distance. 

The skin, which is of great density beneath, is described by M. Roulin to be 
not less than seven lines thick on the back ; and he says that in the days when rifles 




THE AMERICAN TAPIR. 

379 



THE UNGULATA. 



were not brought to their present pitch of perfection a ball from one of them 
would scarcely make an impression. 

On the back of the neck there is a thick rounded crest, which extends from the 
forehead, as low as the level of the eyes, to the shoulders, and beset with a com- 
paratively thin mane of stiff blackish bristles. 

The American tapir is hunted for its excessively tough hide, and also for its 
flesh, which, although described by Europeans as unsavory, being coarse and dry, 
is considered palatable by the Indians. It is captured sometimes, although not 
often, by means of the lasso, an instrument so successful in horse catching, but 
•often futile as regards the tapir, for its usual haunts render this mode of capture 
most difficult, and its determined rush and immense strength frequently enable it 
to break the strongest lasso. Another way of hunting the tapir practiced by the 
native hunters is to find out the animal's track leading to the water; there, with 
their dogs, they patiently lie in wait until evening approaches, when the tapir 
comes out for the purpose of taking his evening stroll, and indulging in the indis- 
pensable bath. They then get between him and the water, when a desperate 
eneounter ensues, the dogs often getting very badly injured. 

The most successful manner of catching the tapir, however, is by means of 
imitating its whistle or call, thus bringing the animal within range of the Indian's 
poisoned arrow. 

The American tapir is mild in captivity and easily domesticated, and tame 
tapirs are permitted to run at large in the streets of the towns of Guiana, and 
often wander into the forests, but return again in the evening to the house in which 
they are kept and fed. The tapir is capable of considerable attachment to its 
owner, and possibly, by care and attention, might be turned to good account, as 
the qualities with which it is credited — strength, docility, and patience — ought to 
render it capable of the duties of a beast of burden. 

THE MALAYAN TAPIR. The Asiatic tapir, which appears to have 
become known to Europeans only in the present century, is an inhabitant of 
Sumatra, Malacca, and the southwest provinces of China. It is said to have been 
found also in Borneo. In size it is larger than the American tapir. It is distin- 
guished by the absence of a mane, the general color of the hair being glossy 
black, but with the back, rump, and sides of the belly white. 

In its habits the Asiatic tapir appears to be similar to his American cousin, and 
in captivity it is said to be of a most mild and inoffensive disposition, becoming as 
tractable and familiar as a dog. 

THE RHINOCEROS FAMILY (RHINOCEROTID.E). 

The rhinoceroses form the third family of the sub-order of Perissodactyla. 
They are to be found at the present day in Africa south of the Sahara Desert, and 
in India, Java, or Sumatra, where the climate is tropical or sub-tropical. They 



MALA YAN TAPIR— RHINOCEROS. 



381 



are represented by several living- species, as well as by several extinct forms. The 
principal characteristics which are to be observed in the rhinoceros are the large 
unwieldy bodies, supported on short, stout legs, terminating in a large callous pad 
with hoof-bearing toes, the large and long head, the small eyes and ears, and the 
short tail. All the living species also possess one or two horns, which are placed 
in the middle line of the head on and above the nose. Each of these horns is to 




THE MALAYAN TAPIR. 



be viewed as a mere appendage to the skin, like hair, for they are only skin deep, 
and are composed of a series of fibers matted together, and similar, if not identi- 
cal, to a mass of hair in which each hair is confluent with those near it. 



THE WHITE RHINOCEROS. This is an animal measuring somewhat 
over twelve feet in length and about five feet ten inches in height. It has a square 
nose and two large rounded horns, the anterior one averaging about two feet six 
inches in length, but not uncommonlv found measuring three feet six inches, some- 



382 



THE UNGULATA. 



limes even over four feet ; the posterior rarely or never exceeding fifteen inches, 
and generally not being more than twelve inches. Its skin is smooth, and without 
any of those folds so characteristic of the Asiatic species. It inhabits all the coun- 




THE "WHITE RHINOCEROS. 



try south of the Zambesi, and probably it may also exist in Central Africa. It 
feeds solely on grass, and sometimes collects into small herds. 

THE BLACK RHINOCEROS is a much smaller animal, being about 
eleven feet in length, and five feet in height, with an elongated head and horns 



THE KEITLOA. 



3S3 




THE KEITLOA. 

thicker in proportion to length than those of the white rhinoceros. The front 
horn is twenty or twenty-two inches in length, and never attains to more than 
twenty-six or twenty-eight inches ; while the back horn averages ten or twelve 
inches. Jts skin is not black, but flesh-colored, and the upper lip is highly pre- 
hensile. 



THE KEITLOA differs but little from the black rhinoceros, excepting in the 
formation of the head, which is somewhat shorter and broader, and it has a less 
prehensile lip. Its chief characteristic is the posterior horn, which is flattened at 
the sides, being of almost equal length to the anterior, and even occasionally 



384 THE UNGULATA. 



longer, twenty and twenty-two inches being about the average. It is found spar- 
ingly in all the country south of the Zambesi, and is not gregarious, a bull and 
cow only being usually seen together. The Black Rhinoceros is the smallest, 
being seldom over ten feet in length, or more than four feet ten inches in height. 
The head is more elongated, and the nose more prehensile than in any other 
species, while the legs are shorter in proportion, and the feet smaller. The 
anterior horns rarely exceed twelve inches, and the posterior seven or eight inches. 
It is usually found only between Zululand and the Limpopo River, although it 
has been killed farther north, not far from the Zambesi. It is not gregarious, two 
full grown ones and a calf being the greatest number that has been recorded as 
seen together. It feeds on thorns, leaves and shoots, and rare!}-, if ever, is found 
out of the thorn jungle. 

Until recent times, it was universally believed that the hide of a rhinoceros 
was too tough to allow a bullet to penetrate ; indeed, even now in popular opinion 
the belief is still retained, but, like many popular opinions, it has proved to be 
untrue ; and that a rhinoceros may be as easily shot with an ordinary bullet as an 
ox, is fully established on the authority of Gordon Cummings, Sir S. Baker, Dr. 
Livingstone, and others. 

Gordon Cummings, in his " Hunter's Life in South Africa," gives the fol- 
lowing details of the rhinoceros: "Of the rhinoceros there are four varieties in 
South Africa, distinguished by the Bechuanas by the names of the Borele, or black 
rhinoceros; the Keitloa, or two-horned black rhinoceros ; the Muchocho, or com- 
mon white rhinoceros; and the Robaoba, or long-horned white rhinoceros. Both 
varieties of the black rhinoceros are extremely fierce and dangerous, and rush 
headlong and unprovoked at any object which attracts their attention. They 
never attain much fat, and their flesh is tough, and not much esteemed by the 
Bechuanas. Their food consists almost entirely of the thorny branches of the 
waitabit thorns. Their horns are much shorter than those of the other varieties, 
seldom exceeding eighteen inches in length. They are finely polished with con- 
stant rubbing against the trees. The skull is remarkably formed, the most 
striking feature being the tremendously thick ossification in which it ends above 
the nostrils. It is on this mass that the horn is supported. The horns are not 
connected with the skull, being attached merely by the skin, and they may thus 
be separated from the head by means of a sharp knife. They are hard and solid 
throughout, and are a fine material for various articles, such as drinking cups, 
mallets for rifles, handles for turners' tools, etc. The horn is capable of taking a 
very high polish. The eyes of the rhinoceros are small and sparkling, and do not 
readily observe the hunter, provided he keep to the leeward of them. The skin is 
extremely thick, and only to be penetrated by bullets hardened with solder. 
During the day the rhinoceros will be found lying asleep, or standing indolently 
in some retired part of the forest, or under the base of the mountains, sheltered 
from the power of the sun by some friendly grove of umbrella-topped mimosas. 



"'^'' 



rJfMf 



W0* 




Wl?ife and Black l\[)inoceros. 



THE RHINOCEROS. 



3S5 



In the evening they commence their nightly rambles, and wander over a great 
extent of country. They usually visit the fountains between the hours of nine and 
twelve o'clock at night, and it is on these occasions that they may be the most 
successfully hunted, and with the least danger. The black rhinoceros is subject 
*to paroxysms of unprovoked fury, often plowing up the ground for several 




INDIAN RHINOCEROS AND ELEPHANT FIGHTING. 



yards with its horn, and assaulting large bushes in the most violent manner. On 
these bushes they work for hours with their horns, at the same time snorting and 
blowing loudly, nor do they leave them in general until they have broken them in 
pieces. All the four varieties delight to roll and wallow in the mud, with which 
their rugged hides are generally incrusted. Both varieties of the black rhinoceros 
25 



386 THE UNGULATA. 



are much smaller and more active than the white, and are so swift that a horse 
with a rider on his back can rarely overtake them. 

The two varieties of the white rhinoceros are so similar in habits that the 
description of one will serve for both, the principal difference consisting in the 
length and set of the anterior horn, that of the Muchocho averaging from two to 
three feet in length and pointing backward, while the horn of the Robaoba often 
exceeds four feet in length, and inclines forward from the nose at an angle of 
forty-five degrees. The posterior horn of either species seldom exceeds six or 
seven inches in length. The Robaoba is the rarer of the two, and it is found very 
far in the interior, chiefly to the eastward of the Limpopo. Its horns are very val- 
uable for loading rods, supplying a substance at once suitable for a sporting 
implement, and excellent for the purpose. Both these varieties of rhinoceros 
attain an enormous size. They feed solely on grass, carry much fat, and their 
flesh is excellent, being preferable to beef. They are of a much milder and more 
inoffensive disposition than the black rhinoceros, rarely charging their pursuer. 
Their speed is very inferior to that of the other varieties, and a person well 
mounted can overtake and shoot them. The head of these is a foot longer than 
that of the Borele. They generally carry their heads low, whereas the Borele, 
when disturbed, carries his very high. Unlike the elephants, they never associate 
in herds, but are met singly or in pairs. In districts where they are abundant, 
from three to six may be found in company, and I once saw upward of a dozen 
congregated together on some young grass, but such an occurrence is rare." 

Gordon Cummings relates that the rhinoceros and hippopotamus are usually 
attended by little birds known as rhinoceros birds, '• Their object being to feed 
upon the ticks and other parasites that swarm upon these animals. They are of a 
grayish color, and are nearly as large as a common thrush. Their voice is very 
similar to the mistletoe thrush. Many a time have these ever-watchful birds dis- 
appointed me in my stalk, and tempted me to invoke an anathema upon their 
devoted heads. They are the best friends the rhinoceros has, and rarely fail to 
awaken him, even in his soundest nap. 'Chuckuroo ' perfectly understands their 
warning, and, springing to his feet, he generally first looks about him in every 
direction, after which he invariably makes off. I have often hunted a rhinoceros 
on horseback which led me a chase of many miles, and required a number of shots 
before he fell, during which chase several of these birds remained by the rhinoc- 
eros to the last. They reminded me of mariners on the deck of some bark sailing 
on the ocean, for they perched along his back and sides, and as each of my bullets 
told on the shoulder of the rhinoceros, they ascended about six feet into the air, 
uttering their harsh cry of alarm, and then resumed their position. It sometimes 
happened that the lower branches of trees, under which the rhinoceros passed, 
swept them from their living deck, but they always recovered their former 
station. They also adhere to the rhinoceros during the night. I have often shot 
these animals at midnight when drinking at the fountains, and the birds, imagining 



THE INDIAN RHINOCEROS. 



387 



they were asleep, remained with them till 
morning, and on my approaching, before 
taking flight, they exerted themselves to 
the utmost to awaken Chuckuroo from 
his deep sleep.'' 

THE ASIATIC RHINOCEROS. 

There are four different rhinoceroses 
in Asia, of which two are characterized 
by the possession of one horn, while the 
remaining two possess two horns, as in 
the African species. All the adult Asiatic 
possess incisors or front teeth, which are 
conspicuous by their absence from the 
African species. The normal number of 
these is four in the upper and four in the 
lower jaws, the median pair being the 
larger in the upper and the smaller in the lower. The development of these 
teeth seems to stand in relation to the development of horns, those animals with 
the smallest horns being provided with the largest incisors. 




FRONT VIEW OF HEAD OF SUMATRAN 
RHINOCEROS. 



THE INDIAN RHINOCEROS is the most familar, with a single horn on 
the nose, and thick naked skin covered with large boss-like granulations, which 
lie in massive folds on various parts of the body, and more especially behind and 
across the shoulders and before and across the thighs. There are a few stiff hairs 
on the tail and ears. It inhabits the East Indies, principally beyond the Ganges, 
and is recorded as having been found in Bengal, Siam, and Cochin-China. It is 
found in shady forests, the neighborhood of rivers, and marshy places, its food con- 
sisting of herbage and branches of trees. 
The fully grown animal rarely arrives 
at a greater height than, five, and its 
average may be taken at four feet. 

Williamson, in his "Oriental Field 
Sports," speaking of the Indian rhi- 
noceros, describes it as an inveterate 
enemy of elephants, attacking when- 
ever he can find them single, or, at 
least, not protected by a male of great 
bulk, ripping without mercy, and con- 
fiding in his coat of mail to defend him 
side view of head of sumatran rhinoceros, from the puny attacks of the females, as 




388 THE UNGULATA. 



well as to resist the tusks of young males. He relates that the apparent blunt- 
ness of the horn of the Indian rhinoceros, which is about as broad at the base as 
it is high, would make it appear a somewhat insignificant weapon, and inadequate 
to penetrate any hard or tough substance. This, however, we are informed is not 
the case, elephants often being found dead, obviously, it is stated, from the wounds 
received from the horn of the rhinoceros ; and in one case, as is related by 
Williamson, a large male elephant and rhinoceros were found both dead together, 
the elephant's abdomen having been ripped open, and the rhinoceros' horn having 
been found transfixed beneath the ribs. Williamson also states that Major Lally, 
an officer of the Indian army, whose veracity is beyond question, while engaged in 
one of his hunting expeditions, and having arrived at the summit of a low range 
of hills, was suddenly presented with a distinct view of a most desperate engage- 
ment between a rhinoceros and a large male elephant, the latter, to all appearance, 
protecting a small herd which were retiring in a state of alarm. The elephant 
was beaten, and decamped, followed by the rhinoceros, into a heavy jungle, where 
much roaring was heard, but nothing could be discerned. From this we may 
conclude that the habit which Pliny describes of the rhinoceros ripping open the 
elephant is confirmed by modern observation. 

THE SUMATRAN RHINOCEROS is the more commonly known of the 
two two-horned species inhabiting Asia. Its head is armed with two obtusely- 
pointed horns, its body is covered with bristles, and the folds of the skin are deep, 
and especially that behind the shoulder. The folds on the neck, however, are not 
so distinct as in the one-horned species. 

THE HAIRY-EARED RHINOCEROS has been confounded by naturalists 
with the Sumatran species, until Dr. Sclater showed from the comparison of those 
two animals that they were specifically distinct. The former is characterized by 
the long hairy fringe to the ears, by the covering of long, fine reddish hair on the 
body, the smoother and more finely granulated skin, and the shorter tail. The one 
in Regent's Park was captured in January, 1868, under very singular circum- 
stances, as described in the following extract from a Calcutta newspaper: " The 
quiet station of Chittagong has been lately enlivened by the presence of a rhinoc- 
eros. It appears that about a month ago some natives came into Chittagong and 
stated that a rhinoceros had been found by them in a quicksand, and was quite 
exhausted with the efforts to relieve herself. They had attached two ropes to the 
animal's neck, and with the assistance of about two hundred men dragged her out, 
and keeping her taut between two ropes they eventually made her fast to a tree. 
The next morning, however, they found the rhinoceros so refreshed, and making 
such efforts to free herself, that they were frightened, and made application to the 
magistrate of Chittagong for protection. The same evening Captain Hood and 
Mr. W. H. Wickes started with eight elephants to secure the prize, and after a 



THE HAIRY-EARED RHINOCEROS. 



389 



march of about sixteen hours to the south of Chittagong they came up with the 
animal. The elephants, at first sight of the rhinoceros, were very much afraid, 
and bolted one and all, but after some exertion they were brought back and made to 
stand by. A rope was now with some trouble attached to the animal's hind leg, and 
secured to an elephant. At this juncture the rhinoceros roared ; the elephants again 
bolted, and had it not been for the rope slipping from the leg of the rhinoceros, the 
limb might have been pulled from the bod}-. The rhinoceros was, however, 
eventually secured with ropes between elephants, and marched into Chittagong in 
perfect health. Two large rivers had to be crossed— first the Sungoo River, where 




THE HAIRY-EARED RHINOCEROS. 



the animal was towed between elephants, for she could not swim, and cou'd only just 
keep her head above water by paddling with the fore feet, like a pig; and secondly, 
the Kurnafoolie River, when the ordinary cattle ferry boat was used. Thousands 
of natives thronged the march in, which occupied a few days, the temporary bam- 
boo bridges on the Government road invariably falling in with the numbers col- 
lected thereon to watch the rhinoceros crossing the stream below ; and sometimes 
the procession w r as at least a mile in length. The ' Begum,' as the rhinoceros has 
been named, is now free from all ropes, and kept within a stockade inclosure, hav- 
ing therein a good bath excavated in the ground, and a comfortable covered shed 
attached. She is already very tame, and will take plantain leaves or chuppatees 
from the hand, and might also be led about by a string." Begum was ultimately 



390 THE UNGULATA. 



taken to England, and sold to the Zoological Society for $6,000, and is now living 
in the Regent's Park, where she is quiet and orderly, and an altogether respectable 
lady rhinoceros. 

SUID/E, OR HOG FAMILY. 

The hog family may be divided into three well marked groups — the true 
swine, the wart hogs, and the peccaries. In order to enable the hog family to 
"root" or turn up the ground, they are provided with a truncated and cylindrical 
proboscis, or snout, which is capable of considerable movement. The skin is more 
or less supplied abundantly with hair, and the tail is short, and in some cases 
merely represented by a tubercle. The sense of smell in the hog is very acute, 
and when its broad snout plows up the herbage, not a root, an insect, or a worm, 
escapes the olfactory sense. Although credited with stupidity, the hog in its 
native state is to be styled anything but a dull and lethargic animal, neither is it 
the filthy animal that domestication has reduced it to. Properly cared for, the 
pig is as cleanly in its habits, and as capable of strong attachment, as any other 
creature. 

THE WILD BOAR inhabits Europe, North Africa, and Hindostan, each 
country having its own peculiar type or race, which sometimes is so marked as to 
constitute separate species in the opinion of first-rate naturalists. The wild boar 
is distinguished by a body generally of a dusky-brown or greyish color, having a 
tendency to black, and being diversified with black spots. The canines or tusks 
in the male are long and powerful, and project beyond the upper lip, the mouth is 
large, and the elongated head is set on a short neck rising out of a thick and mus- 
cular body. The size is variable, an old wild boar recorded by Demarest being 
five feet nine inches long, while a four-year-old of the more ordinary size meas- 
ured three feet without the tail. The female is smaller than the male, and with 
smaller tusks. The hairs of the body are coarse, intermixed with a downy wool. 
On the neck and shoulders the hairs take the form of bristles, being long enough 
to assume a kind of mane, which the animal is enabled to erect if irritated. The 
young has the body marked with longitudinal stripes of a reddish color. In its 
habits the wild boar is by choice herbivorous, feeding on plants, fruits, and roots; 
but it will also eat snakes, lizards, and various insects, and when pressed by hunger 
nothing appears to come amiss to its voracious appetite ; it is stated that even dead 
horses are sometimes called into requisition. The boar is nocturnal in its habits, 
rarely leaving the shadow of the woods in the daytime, and coming forth as twi- 
light approaches in search of food, delighting in roots often deeply embedded in 
the soil, and which its keen sense of smell enables it easily to detect. Much mis- 
chief is often done by this animal, which plows up the ground in continuous 
furrows for long distances, and is not content, like the domesticated variety, with 
plowing up a spot here and there. 



WILD BOAR— INDIAN HOG. 



391 







THE WILD BOAR. 



THE INDIAN HOC differs but little in general appearance from the 
European wild boar, and is looked upon in the East as a most exciting object 
of the chase, its speed, endurance and courage making it one of the most formid- 
able and dangerous animals that can possibly be encountered. The habits of this 
animal are admirably portrayed bv Williamson, in his "Oriental Field Sports." 
After describing the extraordinary speed this creature is possessed of, equaling that 
of a good horse, and asserting that a moderate sized hog can, and often does, over- 
throw horses and their riders, he states that " the wild hog delights in cultivated 
situations; but he will not remain where water is not at hand, in which he may, 
unobserved, quench his thirst and wallow at his ease. Nor will he resort for a 
second season to a spot which does not afford ample cover, whether of heavy 
grass or of underwood jungle, within a certain distance, for him to fly to in case of 
molestation, and especially to serve as a retreat during the hot season, as otherwise 
he would find no shelter. The sugar cane is his great delight, both as being his 
favorite food, and as affording a high, impervious, and unfrequented situation. In 
these, hogs commit great devastation, especially the breeding sows, which not only 



392 



THE UNGULATA. 



devour, but cut the canes for litter, and throw 
them up into little huts, which they do with 
much art, leaving a small entrance which they 
stop up at pleasure. Sows never quit their 
young pigs without completely shutting them 
up. This, indeed, is requisite only for a few 
days, as the young brood may be seen follow- 
ing the mother at a round pace, when not more 
than a week or ten days old. The wild boar 
of India is hunted usually by men on horseback, 
armed with spears of a more or less variable 
length, averaging from about six feet and a half 
to eight and sometimes ten feet. The shaft of 
a spear consists of bamboo properly weighted 
with lead ; the spear itself is a broad and stout 
blade. It is held by a man on horseback in such a manner that about a foot and a 
half projects in front of the stirrup-iron and the horse is ridden in such a way that 
when the boar charges it is transfixed by the spear." 




HEAD OF WILD BOAR 



THE DOMESTIC HOC is descended from two distinct wild stocks— the 
wild boar, and an Eastern type known now only in the domesticated condition. 
The breeds of hogs descended from the wild boar are to be found in the various 
parts of Northern and Central Europe, and resemble their progenitors in the 
length of their legs and the development of their tusk. The skull, however, has 
become higher and broader, and their tusks are not so large, and the body is not 
covered with such a dense covering of hair. 

The domesticated breeds of China and Siam have, among other characters, 
broader and stouter heads than those which are descended from the wild boar, 
and are best known under the form of the Chinese 
breed. They constitute the type of Sus Indica, 
which is now so largely represented among the 
various European strains, and which is mostly 
due to the crossing of two original stocks. Both 
these breeds were brought under the dominion of 
man in a very remote age, and have varied in 
exact proportion to the care taken in selecting 
the various characters. 

The hogs are represented in Africa, south of 
the Sahara, and in Madagascar, by an animal 
known as the bush hog, which possesses a remark- 
able boss or excrescence rising from the face 
below the eyes. The species figured has peculiar head ok domestic hog 





DOMESTIC HOGS 



394 



THE UNGULATA. 



ears, which look almost as if thev had been cut. One of the most singular of the 
wild hogs is the Babirusa, inhabiting the islands of Celebes and Borneo, in which, 
in the males, the tusks arrive at an enormous size, those of the upper jaw curving 
upward and backward, and even, in some cases, penetrating the skull in their 
backward reach. These tusks, however, are useless for purposes of attack. The 
lower jaws, also, are armed with two sharp tusks, which are capable of inflicting 
severe wounds. The animal is nearlv hairless, and is said to arrive at a size not 




THE BUSH HOG. 

much less than that of a donkey. It is very ferocious, and is a more formidable 
antagonist than the wild boar of Europe. 

The Babirusa is described as being of a delicate nature, requiring considerable 
care and attention when kept in confinement. 

THE WART HOGS range over tropical Africa from Abyssinia to Caffraria. 
They are remarkable, not only for having enormous tusks, and for the develop, 
ment of a large excrescence or wart, under each eye, but also for the peculiar con- 
struction of their last grinding teeth. These are massive, and composed of prisms 



THE WART HOG. 



395 




THE BAUIRUSA. 



of enamel surrounding a central 
mass of dentine, and embedded 
in the cement which unites them 
into one tooth. There is only 
one pair of upper incisors, and 
the last molars are the only ones 
which are not shed in the old 
animal. The canines are large, 
recurved, sharp, and project- 
eight or nine inches beyond the 
lips. 

THE ETHIOPIAN WART 

HOC is a native of the south- 
ern portions of Africa, and dif- 
fers principally from the preceding in the larger size of the warts, and a more 
peculiarly shaped head. The food of both species of wart hogs appears to consist 
almost entirely of roots. 

THE COLLARED PECCARY is a small pig about three feet long; the 
head is short, the muzzle slender, and the tail short. The thick bristles which 
cover its body are dark brown with yellow and black rings, and are somewhat 
longer on the back of the neck. The prevailing color is dark brown, but on the 
shoulders and round the neck is a broad band of a yellowish-white color, from 
which this species has obtained its name. The open gland on the back always 
discharges a fluid of a most fetid odor, which, however, seems to be grateful to 
the possessors of it, as they'are often seen mutually rubbing each other's backs 
with their snouts. 

Although the peccary is a very harmless animal to the outward view, it is a 
very dangerous enemy, in spite of its light weight (fifty to sixty pounds) and its 
short tusks; for these tusks are shaped like a-lancet, double edged, and acutely 
pointed, and inflict terrible wounds. No animal can withstand the united attacks 
of the peccary. Fear is a feeling to which it is an utter stranger, and even the 
jaguar is forced to abandon the contest, and to shrink from encountering the cir- 
cular mass of peccaries. Schomburgh, whose accounts are perfectly trustworthy, 
writes: "As we were passing through a woody oasis I heard a peculiar noise like 
the galloping of horses. With the cry 'Poinkaf ' the Indians cocked their guns and 
drew their bows, and soon an innumerable herd of peccaries came in sight. When 
they saw us they stopped in their charge for an instant, then grunting loudly, rushed 
past us. I was so surprised by the sudden appearance of the creatures that I forgot 
to shoot at first, and raised my gun to make up for lost time, but my arm was seized 
by an Indian. When the main herd was past and some stragglers came in sight, 



THE UNGULATA, 



the Indians began to use bow and gun. They affirmed that it was most dan- 
gerous to fire into the middle of a herd, for the peccaries dispersed in all direc- 
tions, and tore with their tusks every living thing that came in their way ; while 
if the stragglers only are attacked, the main body pursues its course." In 
Webber's " Romance of Natural History" there is a very amusing account, too 




THE ETHIOPIAN WART HOG. 



long to be quoted, of the consternation caused during a bear hunt by a charge of 
peccaries, which scattered men, dogs and bear in a common confusion. Another 
traveler writes as follows: "While pushing my way through a wood my dog 
started a peccary. Suddenly eight or ten burst through the underwood, and 
before I could realize the scene, had finished my unlucky companion with their 
sharp teeth. I suddenly found myself surrounded. I killed several, but it was no 
use; my ammunition was soon expended, and it was only by clubbing my gun 



THE COLLARED PECCAR V. 



397 



that I fought my way to a tree, and with more than one wound from their incisors, 
reached a secure position. Here I remained besieged till they dispersed." 



THE COMMON RIVER HORSE is a large, unwieldy looking animal, 
sometimes as much as eleven or twelve feet long, with a massive body and 
enormous head, and short, stout legs. Nevertheless, it is capable of moving 
swiftly on the land, and swimming with perfect ease. Its skin is naked, thick and 




HE PECCARY 



penetrated by pores which exude a thick fatty secretion, which may perhaps be 
useful to it while in the water. The front part of the head is massive, and broader 
than that of any other living quadruped. The nostrils are comparatively small 
slits, which are closed and water tight during the frequent dives beneath the 
surface of the water. The eyes are prominent and placed far back in the head, 
and the ears are so short that they look as if they had been cropped. They, too, 
have a special arrangement of muscles by which they can be closed. The short 
legs are terminated by four hoof-bearing toes, and the short tail is adorned with 
bristles arranged laterally and on opposite sides, which are the only traces of hair 
found on the animal. The mouth is very large, and armed with tusks and grinders 



398 THE UNGULATA. 



that present a fearful appearance when the animal opens its mouth with a gape, 
which is unsurpassed in width by that of any other animal. The tusks are enor- 
mous, especially those in the lower jaw, which are curved upward as in the hog's 
and meet those of the upper jaw close to their sockets. By the attrition of their 
surfaces together their tips are reduced to a chisel edge. The river horse is noc- 
turnal in its habits, frequenting rivers and lagoons, and rarely leaving them or 
their immediate neighborhood except at night, when it will go considerable dis- 
tances in search of food, sometimes causing great damage to cultivated crops, 
which may be estimated from the fact that its stomach is capable of holding from 
five to six bushels. Its food consists principally of grass, young shrubs, and 
water plants, and it is particularly fond of green corn. When in the water its 
slow respiration enables it to remain for a long time beneath the surface without 
coming up to breathe ; and the means of closing both its ears and nostrils against 
the access of water, is admirably suited for its aquatic habits. 

Hippopotami keep together in herds, and where they have not been disturbed 
come fearlessly to the top of the water, often lazily basking on the surface and on 
the banks ; but in places where they have been hunted and shot at they become 
very wary, and content themselves by just showing their noses among weeds, and 
sometimes they are so carefully concealed that but for their footprints on the 
banks of the river, their presence would be quite unknown. Cumming, in his 
African hunting experiences, gives a description of seeing an entire colony of 
these animals on the banks of the Limpopo. He says: " Presently in a broad and 
deeply shaded pool of the river we heard the sea cows bellowing, and approaching 
somewhat nearer beheld a wonderful and interesting sight. On a sandy promon- 
tory of the island stood about thirty cows and calves, whilst in the pool opposite 
and below them stood about twenty more sea cows, with their heads and backs 
above water. About fifty yards farther down the river, again showing out their 
heads, were eight or ten immense fellows, which I think were all bulls, and about 
a hundred yards below these, in the middle of the stream, stood another herd of 
eight or ten cows and calves, and two large bulls. The sea cows lay close 
together like pigs, and as they sprawl in the mire have not the least objection to 
their neighbors pillowing their heads on their backs and sides." Livingstone 
also gives a description of seeing a herd of hippopotami as follows: "On a 
shallow sand bank, under a dyke crossing the River Zambesi near the mouth of the 
Sinjere, lay a herd of hippopotami in fancied security. The young ones were 
playing with each other like young puppies, climbing on the backs of their dams, 
trying to take hold of one another by the jaws, and tumbling over into the water. 
Mbia, one of the Makotols, waded across to within a dozen yards of the drowsy 
beasts, and shot the father of the herd, who being very fat soon floated, and was 
secured at the village below. The men then gorged themselves with meat for 
two days, and cut large quantities into long narrow strips, which they half dried 
and half roasted on wooden frames over the fire." The harpoon is the weapon 



THE COMMON RIVER HORSE. 



399 




THE COMMON RIVKR HORSE OR HIPPOPOTAMUS. 



usually used by the natives of Africa for catching the hippopotamus. One kind 
of harpoon consists of a shaft about twelve feet long-, at one end of which is a 
combination of spear and fishhook, the spear being let into a socket of the shaft, 
and also attached to the shaft by means of cords. At the other extremity is a coil 
of rope, to which is attached a large float, so that when a hippopotamus is har- 
pooned the float shows the position of the animal. When an animal is struck, it 
is followed either by men in canoes or on land, who by means of ropes get posses- 
sion of the line to which the float is attached, which they entwine round a tree, 
and every time the animal comes up to breathe he is greeted by a shower of spears 
until finally finished. The hippopotamus has been considered by travelers and 
naturalists to be of a mild and inoffensive disposition, retiring and shy in its habits, 
and unless provoked rarely attacking man. Probably this to a great extent is true 
of the animal, but numerous instances are recorded of most ferocious and quite 
unprovoked attacks, and when this is the case few animals are capable of showing 
such blind rage. 

Sir Samuel Baker relates from personal observation the capture ot a hippo- 
potamus with the harpoon above described. He says: " At length we arrived at 
a large pool, in which were several sand banks covered with rushes, and many 
rocky islands. Among the rocks was a herd of hippopotami, consisting of an old 
bull and several cows; a young hippo was standing, like an ugly little statue, on a 
protruding rock, while another infant stood upon its mother's back that listlessly 
floated on the water. This was an admirable place for the hunters. They desired 
me to lie down, and they crept into the jungle out of view of the river. I presently 
observed them stealthily descending the dry bed about two hundred paces above 
the spot where the hippos were basking behind the rocks. They entered the river 
and swam down the center of the stream toward the rock. This was highly 
exciting. The hippos were quite unconscious of the approaching danger, as 
steadily and rapidly the hunters floated down the strong current; they neared the 
rock, and both heads disappeared as they purposely sank out of view; in a few 



400 THE UNGULATA. 



seconds later they reappeared at the edge of the rock upon which the young- hippo 
stood. It would be difficult to say which started first, the astonished young hippo 
into the water, or the harpoons from the hands of the howartis! It was the affair 
of a moment. The hunters dived directly they had hurled their harpoons, and 
swimming for some distance under water, they came to the surface, and hastened 
to the shore lest an infuriated hippopotamus should follow them. One harpoon 
had missed ; the other had fixed the bull of the herd, at which it had been surely 
aimed. This was grand sport. The bull was in the greatest fury, and rose to the 
surface, snorting and blowing in his impotent rage; but as the ambatch float was 
exceedingly large, and this naturally accompanied his movements, he tried to 
escape from his imaginary persecutor, and dived constantly, only to find his perti- 
nacious attendant close to him upon regaining the surface. This was not to last 
long. The howartis were in earnest, and they at once called their party, who 
with two of the aggageers, Abou Do and Suleiman, were near at hand. The men 
arrived with long ropes that form a portion of the outfit for hippo hunting. The 
whole party now halted on the edge of the river, while two men swam across 
with one end of the long rope. Upon gaining the opposite bank, I observed that 
a second rope was made fast to the middle of the main line; thus upon our side 
we held the ends of two ropes, while on the opposite side they had only one. 
Accordingly, the point of junction of the two ropes in the center formed an acute 
angle. The object of this was soon practically explained Two men upon our 
side now each held a rope, and one of these walked about ten yards before the 
other. Upon both sides of the river the people now advanced, dragging the rope 
on the surface of the water until the) 7 reached the ambatch float that was swim- 
ming to and fro, according to the movements of the hippopotomus below. By a 
dexterous jerk of the main line the float was now placed between the two ropes, 
and it was immediately secured in the acute angle by bringing together the ends 
of the ropes on our side. The men on the opposite bank now dropped their line, 
and our men now hauled in upon the ambatch float that was held fast between the 
ropes. Thus cleverly made sure, we quickly brought a strain upon the hippo; 
and although I have had some experience in handling big fish, I never knew one 
pull so lustily as the amphibious animal that we now alternately coaxed and 
bullied. 

" He sprang out of the water, gnashed his huge jaws, snorted with tremen- 
dous rage, and lashed the river into foam ; he then dived and foolishly approached 
us beneath the water. We quickly gathered in the slack line, and took a round 
turn upon a large rock within a few feet of the river. 

" The hippo now rose to the surface about ten yards from the hunters, and 
jumping half out of the water, he snapped his great jaws together, endeavoring to 
catch the rope, but at the same instant two harpoons were launched into his 
side. " Disdaining retreat, and maddened with rage, the furious animal charged 
from the depths of the river, and gaining a footing, he reared his bulky form from 






- 






3^ ; 



ft- 







4 'fret' 



26 



HIPPOPOTAMUS AND YOUNG. 



401 



402 THE UNGULATA. 



the surface, came boldly upon the sand bank, and attacked the hunters open- 
mouthed. He little knew his enemy; they were not the men to fear a pair of 
gaping- jaws, armed with a deadly array of tusks, but half a dozen lances were 
hurled at him, some entering his mouth from a distance of five or six paces; at 
the same time several men threw handfuls of sand into his enormous eyes. This 
baffled him more than the lances; he crunched the shafts between his powerful 
jaws like straws, but he was beaten by the sand, and shaking his huge head, he 
retreated to the river. During his sally upon the shore, two of the hunters had 
secured the ropes of the harpoons-that had been fastened in his body just before 
his charge. He was now fixed by three of these deadly instruments , but sud- 
denly one rope gave way, having been bitten through by the enraged beast, who 
was still beneath the water. Immediately after this he appeared on the surface, 
and without a moment's hesitation, he once more charged furiously from the water 
straight at the hunters, with his huge mouth open to such an extent that he could 
have accommodated two inside passengers. Suleiman was wild with delight, and 
springing forward, lance in hand, he drove it against the head of the formidable 
animal, but without effect. At the same time, Abou Do met the hippo sword in 
hand, reminding me of Perseus slaying the sea monster that would devour Androm- 
eda; but the sword made a harmless gash, and the lance, already blunted against 
the rocks, refused to penetrate the tough hide. Once more handfuls of sand were 
pelted upon his face, and again repulsed by this blinding attack, he was forced to 
retire to his deep hole, and wash it from his eyes. Six times during the fight the 
valiant bull hippo quitted his watery fortress, and charged resolutely at his pur- 
suers ; he had broken several of their lances in his jaws; other lances had been 
huiled, and falling upon the rocks, they were blunted and would not penetrate. 
The fight had continued for three hours, and the sun was about to set; accordingly 
the hunters begged me to give him the coup de grace, as they had hauled him close 
to the shore, and they feared he would sever the rope with his teeth. I waited 
for a good opportunity, when he boldly raised his head from the water about 
three yards from the rifle, and a bullet from the little Fletcher between the eyes 
closed the last act." 






CHAPTER XVII. 

THE RUMINANTIA. 

The swine, together with those animals which most nearly approach them, 
namely, the peccaries and hippopotami, form but a small division of the cloven- 
hoofed order of the Mammalian animals; by far the greater number of the species 
of the Artiodactyla being included in a group known familiarly as that of the 
Ruminantia, because, as part of the digestive process, they chew the cud. This 
chewing the cud is a phenomenon restricted to the group of animals now under 
consideration. 

HORNED RUMINANTS have their cranial appendages developed after one 
or other of two principles. In one group, which, from the fact that the oxen are 
included with them, are named the Bovidce, the horns are hollow, straight, or 
variously-twisted cones, supported upon bony prolongations from the forehead, 
resembling them in shape upon a smaller scale. These horns are permanent, 
except in the American antelope, increasing in size each year, at the same time 
that they often exhibit transverse markings, which indicate the annual increase. 
In the other group — the Cervidcs, or Deer Tribe — the horns or antlers are 
deciduous, being cast off each year, to be shortly replaced by others, which share 
the fate of their predecessors. These antlers are entirely made of bone, and when 
fully grown are not covered by any less dense investment. 

THE BOVIDAE, or Hollow-Horned Ruminants. In these ruminating ani- 
mals the permanent bone-cones on the forehead are covered with a black horny 
coating, which is not shed during the whole life of their owners, and in which, as 
they continue to grow, until adult life at least, the tips are the oldest parts. The 
females in some species have horns like their mates, but smaller, as in the ox and 
eland ; while in others — the Koodoo and the Sing-Sing antelope, for example — the 
males alone are horned. 

THE SHEEP AND COATS. Between the bearded goat and the beardless 
sheep there exist intermediate species, which so completely fill up the gaps that it 
js almost impossible to separate into different genera. With triangular, curved 

403 



404 THE R UMINANTIA. 



and transversely ridged horns in both sexes, a characteristic general appearance, 
and feet formed for mountain climbing, the species present differences which are 
recognized with facility. 

With reference to the domestic sheep, it is the opinion of most naturalists 
that it has descended from several distinct species. " Endowed by nature," as Mr. 
Spooner, in his work on the sheep aptly puts it, " with a peaceable and patient dis- 
position, and a constitution capable of enduring the extremes of temperature, 
adapting itself readily to different climates, thriving on a variety of pastures, 
ecomomizing nutriment where pasturage is scarce, and advantageously availing 
itself of opportunities where food is abundant," it is not to be wondered at that 
the animal has become the companion of man from the earliest times. 

The fleece of the wild species of sheep is composed of hair with wool at its 
roots, in the same way that in the duck there is a covering of feathers and down. 
In the domesticated species the hair, by selection, has been reduced to a minimum, 
so that the wool forms the only coat. 

In the southern parts of Western Asia many of the sheep have a curious 
tendency to the deposition of fat on the tail rather than under the skin of the body 
generally, and this may occur to such an extent that the thus loaded caudal appen- 
dage may contain a large part of the entire weight of the body. 

The Astracan breed, of small size, has a fine spiral black and white wool, 
sometimes black, which is obtained from the lamb when the finest furs are required. 

Of all the breeds of sheep the Merino of Spain is one of the most important, 
on account of the excellence of its wool. The animal is small, flat-sided, and long- 
legged. The males have long horns, these appendages being absent in the females. 
The face, ears and legs are dark, and the forehead is woolly, at the same time that 
the skin about the throat is lax. The body wool is close set, soft, twisted in a 
spiral, and short. 

In the United States and Great Britain the breeds of sheep are very numer- 
ous, some of the best being of quite recent origin. First among the heavy breeds 
are the improved Leicesters, which from their early maturity, aptness to fatten, 
smallness of bone, and gentle disposition, well deserve the high repute in which 
they stand. "The head of this breed," we are told, "should be hornless, long, 
small, tapering toward the muzzle, and projecting horizontally forward ; the eyes 
prominent, and with a quiet expression; the ears thin, rather long, and directed 
backward; the neck full and broad at its base, where it proceeds from the chest, 
but gradually tapering toward the head, and being particularly fine at the junction 
of the head and neck; the neck seeming to project straight from the chest, so that 
there is, with the slightest possible deviation, one continuous horizontal line from 
the rump to the poll; the breast broad and full; the shoulders also broad and 
round, and no uneven or angular formation where the shoulders join either the 
neck or the back, particularly no rising of the withers or hollow behind the situa- 
tion of these bones ; the arm fleshy through its whole extent, and even down to 



THE MOUFLON. 



405 



the knee ; the bones of the leg small, standing- wide apart, no looseness of skin 
about them, and comparatively bare of wool ; the chest and barrel at once deep 
and round ; the ribs forming a considerable arch from the spine, so as in some 
cases — and especially when the animal is in good condition — to make the apparent 
width of the chest even greater than the depth ; the barrel ribbed well home; no 
irregularity of line on the back or the belly, but on the sides, the carcass very 
gradually diminishing in width toward the rump; the quarters long and full, and 
as with the forelegs, the muscles extending down to the hock; the thighs also 
wide and full; the legs of a moderate length; the pelt moderately thin, but soft 







THE MOUFLON. 



and elastic, and covered with a good quantity of white wool, not so long as in some 
breeds, but considerably finer." 

The large sized Lincoln sheep, with lengthy fleece, those of the Cotswold 
Hills, the Teeswater, and Romney Marsh, are also heavy breeds, not equal in the 
totality of their points to the improved Leicesters, although excelling them either 
in quantity of wool or hardiness of constitution. 

The Short-wooled Southdowns, with close set fleece of fine wool, face and 
legs dusky brown, curved neck, short limbs, and broad body, is one of the oldest 
and most valuable unmixed breeds that we possess. Their mutton greatly excels 
that of the improved Leicesters, which, taken in association with their other good 
qualities, has caused them to extend to nearly every country. 



406 



THE RUMINANTIA. 



THE MOUFLON at one time abounded in Spain, but is now restricted to 
the islands of Corsica and Sardinia. The species is a small one, of a brownish 
grey color, with a dark streak along the middle of the back, at the same time that 
there is a varying amount of white about the face and legs The horns, present 
in the males only, are proportionately not large, curve backward and then inward 
at the tips. The tail is very short, in which respect they differ strikingly from 




THE AMMOX. 



the domestic sheep, to which otherwise they are intimately related. The Mouflon 
frequents the summits of its native hills in small herds, headed by an old ram. Its 
skin is used by the mountaineers for making jackets. It breeds freely with the 
domestic species. 



THE AMMON, of Tibet, has been known to measure as much as four feet 
and an inch at the shoulder, and has a most imposing appearance on account of 
the erect attitude in which it holds its head. Its horns attain a great size, being 



AMAZON— BIG HORN. 



407 




THE BIG HORN. 



sometimes as much as four feet long and twenty-two inches in circumference at 
their bases, forming a single sweep of about four-fifths of a circle, their points 
being turned slight) 7 outward, and ending bluntly. Its body color is dark brown 
above, paler posteriorly and below. A mane surrounds its neck, white in the 
male, dark brown in the female. The tail measures only an inch in length. In 
the female the horns do not exceed twenty-two inches in length. 



THE BIG HORN ranks next in size to the elk among the horned beasts of 
the Great West. It is a curious combination of the body of a deer and the head 
of a sheep; the horns are, as its common name indicates, of enormous size, and 
make a curve that is more than a complete circle, and are nearly three feet long in 
the male. They are said to come so far forward and downward that old rams find 
it impossible to feed on level ground. The head and horns often weigh sixty 
pounds. Its coat is thick with short grayish hair, changing in the fall into dun, 
and the hair becoming more than an inch long, and rather wiry. In winter the 
coat is increased by a layer of exceedingly fine wool which, though sometimes 
three inches long, never shows outside the hair, but lies curled up close to the 
skin. 

The big horn is found in troops of twenty or thirty in number. They never 
quit the craggiest regions, but find their food upon the little knolls of green 
herbage that are sprinkled among the precipices without being tempted by the 
verdure of the plains. They come down, however, from their rocky fastnesses 
to obtain water from the low lying springs. They are very shy and suspicious, 
and at the first appearance of a man, take flight. . " What becomes of the mountain 



408 



THE RUMINANTIA. 



sheep," writes General Dodge, " when man invades his stronghold, it is impossible 
to say. Hundreds may be in a locality ; let man appear; a few, perhaps ten, are 
killed; the others disappear and leave no sign." 

The big horn is an admirable climber, and runs up or down the faces of preci- 
pices where apparently no foothold exists. Their habits are those of other sheep 
The lambs begin to be seen in June, when they are placed on some shelf of rock 




THE BARBARY WILD SHEEP. 

inaccessible to man, or any beast of pre}'. The ewes and lambs; according to 
Richardson, form herds apart from the males. From the middle of August till 
November the flesh of the big horn is in prime condition. According to General 
Dodge, " It is impossible to describe it, but if one can imagine a saddle of most 
delicious 'Southdown' flavored with the richest and most gamy juices of the 
black-tailed deer, he will form some idea of a feast of mountain sheep in season, 
and properly conked. Except in season, the mountain sheep is thin, tough, and 
the poorest food that the plains furnish to man." 



WILD SHEEP—GOATS 



409 



THE WILD SHEEP of Bar- 
bary, is a large and handsome 
species, with a comparatively 
lengthy tail, tufted at its end. The 
hair on the chin is short, whilst J 
that along the lower margin of the = 
neck, as well as on the front of 
the knees, attains a great length. % 
The horns are not massive, and ^ 
hardly exceed two feet in length 
They are black, and are directec 
outward as well as backward. 







LONG-EARED G 



THE COATS. In the goats 
the horns are flattened from side to side, and rough in front and arched backward, 
whilst in the sheep they are more uniformly cylindrical, turned laterally, curling 
downward, and often cork-screwed. A beard is a common addition to the former 
animal, and a most unpleasant odor is emitted by them. 

The domestic goat is almost certainly descended from the paseng, or ibex, of 
the mountains of Asia, with little or no admixture of other blood. In it, however, 
the female is bearded as well as the male, which is not the case with the paseng. 
It has been subjugated from time immemorial, when the flesh of the kid was con- 
sidered a delicacy. Its su re-footed ness and its boldness are proverbial, as is its 
unpleasant odor. The power possessed by the species of ascending precipitous 
heights is marvelous. On more than one occasion it has been recorded, contrary to 
the teaching of JEsop — that whilst two individuals have met on a path too narrow 

for both to pass, one has lain 
down in order that the 
other might go over its 
back. With no great bulk 
of body ; coarse hair of dif- 
erent lengths and tints, 
springing from out of a 
mass of much shorter wool; 
varying size, but 
outturned at the 
ps; narrow ears; an almost 
entirely hair-covered nose ; 
sight, hearing, and smell all 
acute; powerful thick-set 
legs, and a short tail naked 
below, it stands its own in 




5ia horns of 
v >^ 3 a ^ w a Y s 



410 



THE RUMINANTIA. 



mountainous and less civilized districts. Varieties occur with large pendulous 
instead of upright ears ; others with extra horns, occasionally spiral as in Nepaul, 
or none at all. In the Angora and Cashmere breeds the hair is white. 

THE COAT OF CASHMERE is famous on account of the long and very- 
fine wool with which it is covered, and which is employed in the manufacture of 
Cashmere shawls It is said that the wool of ten of these goat- is required for the 
material of a single shawl. 




)RA GOAT, 



THE IBEX is found in the Alpine heights of Europe and of Western Asia, 
including the Himalayas. The large scythe blade-shaped horns of the male curve 
boldly upward and backward, diverging all the way. Along the front of their 
convex surfaces there is a series of protuberances or partial rin^s, which are only 
just indicated laterally. The largest specimens reach three feet and a half in 
height at the shoulder, which is a little less than the length their horns sometimes 
attain. The body color is a yellowish-gray, white below, with a dark brown line 
along the middle of the back. The soft and close-set hair hides an under-fur still 
finer. The beard is black. European specimens are smaller than those from 



THE IBEX. 



411 




THE IBEX. 



Asia, rarely exceeding two feet and a half in height, with horns three feet in 
length. The species inhabits the most precipitous and dangerous parts of 
mountain regions, and is wondeifully sure-footed. 



THE PASENC is the wild goat of Western Asia. It is also found on the 
northern side of the Caucasus and in some of the islands of the Jigean. In height 
the male measures two feet and three-quarters at the withers, the female being 
nearly six inches less. In the males the horns may measure as much as four feet 
in length. They are flattened, slender, curved backward as a part of a large 
circle, having their points turned sometimes inward, so much so as now and again 
to cross, whilst at others they are directed outward. Along their anterior edges 
are protuberances, separated by a greater distance as they approach the tips, 
indicative of the age of the animal, as after the third year a fresh knob is formed 
in each succeeding one. The horns of the female are not more than a foot long, 
the knobs being almost obsolete. Unlike its consort, also, it has no beard. The 



412 



THE RUMINANTIA. 



general color of the species is gray, shaded with reddish brown. A blackish- 
brown line extends from the similarly colored forehead along the spine. 

THE MARKHOOR, or -Serpent Eater" of Northeast India and Cashmere, 
is a fine goat of larger size than the ibex, with much flattened triangular horns, 
which, while running upward from the head, are spiral and attain an immense 
size, sometimes as much as five feet along their curve. The spiral twist is much 




THE MARKHOOR. 



more open in some specimens than in others, depending on the locality in which 
they are found. The body color is a dirty light blue-gray, the lengthy beard 
being of a darker color. It inhabits very similar localities to the ibexes, and is 
very shy. 



THE GAZELLES. Under the title of gazelles are included several strik- 
ingly elegant, small, slender, sandy colored species of ruminating animals, in 
which the males always, and the females in most cases, carry horns, which are 
transversely ringed, and vary considerably in the direction which they take, many 



THE GAZELLE. 



413 



having them curved in such a way that the two together form a lyre-shaped 
figure, at the same time that in others they are nearly straight, turned slightly 
backward or forward, and diverging or converging at the tips. Where present, 
the horns of the females are more slender than in the corresponding males. 

The gnzelles inhabit Africa, Arabia, Persia, India, and Central Asia only. 
They rarely exceed thirty inches in height at the shoulder, the largest, the swift 
antelope of Pennant, reaching nearly three feet. In all the gazelles the face is 
marked with a white band running from the outer side of the base of each horn 
nearly down to the upper end of each nostril, cutting off a dark triangular central 
patch, and bordered externally by a diffused dark line. The under surface of the 




THE GAZELLE. 



j.dREENWWtf' 



abdomen is white, and there is a dark line traversing the flank which bounds this. 
The rump is also white, which in many cases encroaches more or less upon the 
haunches. 

The gazelle par excellence, from Syria, Egypt and Arabia, stands scarcely 
two feet high. The elegance of its proportions is too well known to need 
description. The beauty of its eyes is not to be compared with that of some of 
the other ruminating animals, the whole face being far too sheep-like, and this 
remark equally applies to all its near allies. The Dorcas gazelle is a name by 
which it is also known. Like man}' other members of the genus, it has a tuft of 
hair upon each knee. The tail is long and tapering, the body rather coarse, and 
of a pale fawn color. The hips, as well as the breast and abdomen, are white. 
As to their habits, Mr. Blanford, in his work on Abyssinia, tells us that, so far as 



414 THE RUMINANTJA. 



his observation went, "Neither the Dorcas nor Bennett's gazelle are ever seen in 
large flocks, like the animals of the springbok group. Usually both are seen soli- 
tary, or from two to five together, inhabiting thin bushes generally on broken 
ground. They feed much upon the leaves of bushes. The male has a peculiar 
habit, when surprised, of standing still and uttering a short, sharp cry. Like 
most antelopes, they keep much to the neighborhood of some particular spot. 
After long observation, I am convinced that Bennett's gazelle never drinks ; and 
all that I could ascertain of the Dorcas gazelle leads me to the same conclusion 
in its case." 

Captain Baldwin says that, "like other animals, the little ravine deer (by 
which is meant Bennett's gazelle) has many enemies besides man. One day, when 
out with my rifle, I noticed an old female stamping her feet, and every now and 
then making that ' hiss' which is the alarm note of the animal. It was not I that 
was the cause of her terror, for I had passed close to her only a few minutes 
before, and she seemed to understand by my manner that I meant no harm. No; 
there was something else. I turned back, and on looking down a ravine close by, 
saw a crafty wolf attempting a stalk on the mother and young one. Another day, 
at Agra, a pair of jackals joined in the chase of a wounded buck. 

BENNETT'S GAZELLE is as easily tamed as the common antelope. They 
are favorite - pets, and become strongly attached to those who rear and feed them. 
I have seen tame ones driven out with a herd of goats to graze, and never attempt 
to make their escape. It is not at all unusual to find the wild gazelles feeding 
close to, sometimes almost mingling with herds of goats, when the latter have 
been driven out to pasture. Like all antelopes, the eyesight of the chikarah is 
very acute, and the animal is perpetually on the watch against danger. It, how- 
ever, appears to be gifted with only a moderate sense of hearing, and still less so 
of smell. 

THE SPRINGBOK derives its name from the habit it has of leaping straight 
up in the air for several feet when alarmed, or whilst running. Its height is two 
feet and a half. The horns are lyrate, being very small in the females. Its color 
is yellow dun, with the under parts, as usual, white. A peculiar white line along 
the middle of the back can be varied in extent within certain limits by the animal 
at pleasure. Major C. Hamilton Smith, when writing of this species, tells us 
that it assembles in South Africa in vast herds, " migrating from north to south, 
and back with the monsoons. These migrations, which are said to take place in 
the most numerous form only at the interval of several years, appear to come 
from the northeast, and in masses of many thousands, devouring, like locusts, 
every green herb. The lion has been seen to migrate and walk in the midst of the 
compressed phalanx, with only as much room between him and his victims as the 
fears of those immediately around could procure by pressing outward. The fore- 



THE SAIGA AND CHTRU. 



415 



most of these vast columns are fat and the rear exceedingly lean, while the 
direction continues one way; but with the change of the monsoon, when they 
return toward the north, the rear become the leaders, fattening in their turn." 

THE SAICA AND CHIRU differ from the gazelles but slightly, and approach 
the sheep, the former belonging to Eastern Europe and Western Asia, the latter 
to Tibet. 




THE SAIGA. 

The saiga is as large as a fallow deer, tawny yellow in summer, light grey in 
winter, being specially peculiar about the nose, which is much lengthened, at the 
same time that the nostrils are expanded to such a degree that in feeding they 
have to walk backward. The horns, found only in the males, are not a foot long, 
slightly lyrate, and annulated. In its native haunts, which are barren, sandy and 
salt, it assembles frequently in vast herds. It runs rapidly when pursued, but is 
soon exhausted. 

THE INDIAN ANTELOPE, or Black Buck. This species differs but little 
from the gazelles in many respects, whilst its peculiarities are striking. Like the 



4IG 



THE R UMINANTIA. 



Nylghau, the male differs greatly from the female in its color. The female has 
no horns. Those in the male are black and of great size, spirally twisted for 
three or four turns like a corkscrew, slightly divergent, and often reaching thirty 
inches in length. It stands a little over two feet and a half at the shoulder. The 
color of the males is deep brown-black above, with an abrupt line of separation 
from the pure white of the belly. This dark color extends down the outer sur- 




AFRICAN ANTELOPE. 

face of each limb. The face is also black, with a white circle around the eyes 
and nose. In the females and young of both sexes the black and brown are 
replaced by a light fawn color. The tail is very short, and white below. At 
certain seasons of the year the glands below the eyes are much enlarged, and form 
a prominent feature in the face of the male creature. 

The black buck is one of the swiftest of the antelopes, no greyhound having 
any chance against it. Its flesh, being dry and unsavory, is rarely eaten. The 
species falls a frequent prey to the tiger, and is generally found in herds, fifty 



INDIAN ANTEIOPE—BUSH BUCKS. 



417 



does or so, accompanied by a single buck. The height to which they can bound 
is very great. According to Major C. Hamilton Smith, the native Indians "have 
raised the common antelope among the constellations, harnessed it to the chariot 
of the moon, and represented it as the quarry of the gods. In the opinion of 
Hindoos the animal is sacred to Chandra, female devotees and minstrels lead it, 
domesticated, by the harmony of their instruments, or the power of their prayers, 
and holy Brahmins are directed to feed upon their flesh, under certain circum- 
stances prescribed by the Institutes of Menu." 

THE BUSH BUCKS form a clearly defined group of small antelopes peculiar 
to tropical and Southern Africa. They are also known by sportsmen as dykers or 
bush goats. They are charac- 
terized by the possession of 
horns in the male sex, which 
are short, straight, and simple 
cones, very much depressed, or 
slanting backward, and rising 
some distance behind the eyes. 
At the same time there is a tuft 
of lengthy hair, directed back- 
ward, which is arranged in a 
kind of horseshoe shape between 
the ears. The crumen or gland 
in front of either eye is also 
peculiar. Instead of being a 
sac with a circular opening, it 
is spread out in the form of a 
curved line, and not contracted 
to form an orifice at all. This 
feature, which is not observed 
in any other animal, may be seen in the drawing of the head of the female bush- 
buck. The muffle, or extremity of the nose, is much like that of the ox, compara- 
tively large and always moist. The tail is very short, whilst the ears are of a fair 
size and oval in form. The legs are particularly slender and delicate, terminated 
by minute hoofs. In most the forehead is strongly convex. The coloration of the 
many species is not striking, being a uniform red-brown, dark bluish-grey, or sooty 
black. The smallest of the species, the pigmy bush buck, is not bigger than a 
rabbit, and might at first sight, especially the female, be mistaken for a deerlet. 
According to Mr. .Druramond, " It feeds principally on certain berries and shrubs 
found growing in the jungles, and seems to be on the move, more or less, the 
whole day, though, in common with the rest of the animal creation, it is most often 
to be seen at early morning and evening." 
27 




HEAD OF FEMALE BUSH-BUCK. 



418 



THE R UMINANTIA. 




THE ELAND. 



THE ELAND. This fine species attains to the size of an ox, the bull stand- 
ing six feet and a half at the withers. Two varieties are known, one of a pale 
fawn color from Central Africa, the other, from South Africa, of a bright yellow tan 
color, marked transversely with narrow white lines, about fifteen in number, 
running from a black line which goes along the back, to the belly. These marks 
are present in all young individuals, and disappear or fade considerably in the 
adults. The full grown bull has a broad tuft of lengthy brown hair on the fore- 
head, between and in front of the horns, which are situated some distance behind 
the eyes, being straight, a foot and a half in length, and their bases carrying a 
thick and conspicuous screw-like ridge which extends in some cases nearly to 
their ends. In the females the horns are never quite so large as in the males. A 
large dewlap hangs from the throat of the bulls, whilst a dark, short mane con- 
tinues from the forehead backward. The tail is about two feet and a quarter in 
length, with a large tuft of brown hair at its end. In size and shape the body of 
the male eland resembles that of a well conditioned Guzerat ox, not infrequently 



THE ELAND—THE KOODOO. 



419 



attaining the height of nineteen 
hands, and weighing two thousand 
pounds. The head is strictly that 
of an antelope, light, graceful, and 
bony, with a pair of magnificent 
straight horns, about two feet in 
length, spirally ringed, and 
pointed backward. A broad and 
deep dewlap fringed with brown 
hair reaches to the knee. The 
color varies considerably with the 
age, being dun in some, in others 
an ashy blue with a tint of ochre, 
and in many also sandy grey ap- 
proaching to white. The flesh is 
esteemed by all classes in Africa 
above that of any other animal. 
In grain and color it resembles 
beef, but is better tasted and more 
delicate, possessing a pure game 
flavor, and the quantity of fat with 
which it is interlarded is surpris- 
ing, greatly exceeding that of any 
other game quadruped with which 
I am acquainted. The female is 
smaller and of slighter form, with 
less ponderous horns. 




THE KOODOO. 



THE KOODOO. This is one of the handsomest of all the antelopes. It is 
more slender in build and smaller than the eland, which it somewhat resembles. 
The horns are about four feet long, and form most graceful open spirals like cork- 
screws, there being a ridge along their whole length. The females are hornless. 
The ears are large and trumpet shaped, moving at the slightest noise toward 
its source. The eyes are large and liquid. The body color is slaty-grey, with 
transverse white markings, like those on the striped variety of the eland. A small 
mane extends along the neck and withers, and another from the chin to the throat 
and breast. The tail is of moderate length, and hairy. This species is most 
abundant in Southern Africa, but it extends as high as Abyssinia. Is is able to 
travel with very great speed, and makes prodigious bounds. It stands about five 
feet in height at the shoulders. 

" Majestic in its carriage," writes Captain Harris, with all the enthusiasm of a 
true sportsman, "and brilliant in its color, this species may with propriety be 



420 



THE R UMINANTIA. 



styled the king of the tribe. Other antelopes are stately, elegant or curious, but 
the solitude-seeking koodoo is absolutely regal ! The ground color is a lively- 
French grey approaching to blue, with several transverse white bands passing 
over the back and loins; a copious mane, and deeply fringed, tri-colored dewlap, 
setting off a pair of ponderous yet symmetrical horns, spirally twisted, and 
exceeding three feet in length. These are thrown along the back as the stately 
wearer dashes through the mazes of the forest or clambers the mountain side. 
The old bulls are invariably found apart from the females, which herd together in 
small troops, and are destitute of horns.'' 



THE GNUS. The Gnu and the Brindled Gnu are two of the most gro- 
tesque of creatures. With the head not unlike that of a small Cape buffalo, it has 
the limbs and hindquarters not unlike those of a pony, in proportions as well as 
size. The nose is broad and flattened, with a bristly muzzle. The horns are 
broad at the base, where they nearly meet, and after turning downward as well as 
forward, they again turn up abruptly in a hook-like manner. They are found 
abundantly in Southern Africa, where, as their flesh is worthless, they are not 
much hunted. They are extremely wild and fearless, and remarkably tenacious of 
life. Their speed is great, and they have a habit of prancing about and kicking 
out furiously when suspecting danger. Both species have a mane along the neck,, 
and lengthy hair between the forelegs. In both the tail is long, covered with a 
mass of hair not unlike that of the horse. The common gnu is of a deep brown 

-black, the tail and 
mane being white, 
whilst the bushy beard, 
running back to the 
chest and between the 
forelegs, is black. 
Lengthy black hairs, 
diverging and ascend- 
ing from a median line,, 
cover the upper part 
of the nose, at the 
same time that other 
smaller tufts under the 
eyes help to give a 
most ferocious aspect 
to the face. From Cap- 
tain Harris' descrip- 
tion of the animals of 
South Africa, an excel- 
lent idea of the peculi- 




THE GNU. 




THE CHAMOIS. 



421 



422 THE R UMINANTIA. 



arities of the creature may be gained. " Of all quadrupeds," he writes, " the 
gnoo is probably the most awkward and grotesque. Nature doubtless formed 
him in one of her freaks, and it is scarcely possible to contemplate his ungainly 
figure without laughter. Wheeling and prancing in every direction, his shaggy 
and bearded head arched between his slender and muscular legs, and his long 
white tail streaming in the wind, this ever-wary animal has at once a ferocious 
and ludicrous appearance. Suddenly stopping, showing an imposing front, and 
tossing his head in mock defiance, his wild red sinister eyes flash fire, and his snort, 
resembling the roar of a lion, is repeated with energy and effect. Then lashing his 
sides with his floating tail, he plunges, bounds, kicks up his heels with a fantastic 
flourish, and in a moment is off at speed, making the dust fly behind him as he 
sweeps across the plain." 

In the Brindled Gnu the front of the face lacks the lengthy hair of its ally ; 
the tail is also black instead of white. Its body color is a dirty dun, variegated 
with obscure pale streaks. This species, as well as the common gnu, is the con- 
stant companion of the equally abundant quaggas of the same region. 

THE CHAMOIS. This well known goat-like antelope inhabits the snow- 
clad mountains of Europe, from the Pyrenees to the Caucasus, ascending during 
the summer, and in winter going below the line of snow in search of food. Both 
sexes possess horns — black, short, and cylindrical — rising perpendicularly and 
parallel from the forehead for some distance, then forming a small hook directed 
backward to their pointed tips. These rarely exceed seven inches in length. The 
female is slightly smaller than the male, which stands a little over two feet at the 
shoulder. In winter the color of the lengthy, hairy coat is dark brown, which 
becomes a brownish yellow in the summer, a darker streak along the back alone 
remaining. The head is pale yellow, darker from the nose upward to between the 
ears and around the eyes. Behind the horns and between the ears is a pair of 
peculiar glands, opening externally, the function of which is unknown. The voice 
of the species is a rough bleat under ordinary circumstances; but when the one 
which watches whilst fhe others feed — and there is always found to be one such in 
every herd — finds cause to fear, it gives a shrill whistle as a danger signal to its 
companions. 

The senses of sight, hearing, and smell of the chamois are developed to a 
maximum, and this fact, taken in association with the animal's great sure-footed ness 
among the lofty, snow-covered Alps, in which it has its home, makes hunting it a 
task of no mean difficulty and danger. Dogs are of no service on the rocky 
eminences to which the chamois will retreat when it is pursued, and the sportsman 
has to rely upon his own sure-footedness and courage in climbing the steep and 
slippery precipices, whither he is tempted by the sight of game. If so hard 
pressed that it is driven to some height beyond which it cannot go, it is said that 
it will precipitate itself upon its pursuer, sending him down into the depths below. 



THE ORYX— THE GEM SB OK. 



423 



Besides man, the eagle is an enemy, whose constant endeavor is to obtain the kids 
from their watchful mothers. Its skin is much valued for its toughness combined 
with its pliability. Its flesh is also greatly esteemed. 

The appearance of a herd of Oryx is very imposing. They are some of the 
most elegant and symmetrical of animals, the motions being those of a wild horse 
rather than of an antelope. Their favorite pace appears to be either a steady quick 
walk, or a trot; they rarely break into a gallop unless greatly alarmed. When 




THE ORYX. 

frightened they dash off, sometimes snorting and putting their heads down, as if 
charging, raising their long tails, and looking very formidable. They are wary 
animals, though far less so than some other antelopes. It is said that they fre- 
quently attack when wounded, and their long, straight horns are most deadly 
weapons. 

Of the Gemsbok, Captain Harris tells us that it "is about the size of an ass, 
and nearly of the same ground color, with a black list stripe down the back and 
on each flank, white legs variegated with black bands, and a white face, marked 
with the figure of a black nose-band and headstall, imparting altogether to the 



424 



THE RUMWANTIA. 




THE GFlMiiiK. 



animal the appearance of being clad in half-mourning. Its copious black tail 
literally sweeps the ground ; a mane reversed, and a tuft of flowing black hair on 
the breast, with a pair of straight, slender horns (common to both sexes) three feet 
in length, and ringed at the base, completing the portrait." The resemblance 
between the Gemsbok, when seen from the side view, and the unicorn of heraldry, 
is sufficiently striking to make it more than probable that the conception of the 
latter originated in the former. 



THE MUSK OX is an animal whose exact affinities it is not easy to deter- 
mine. It is found only in Arctic America north of latitude 6o°, and exhales a 
strong musky odor at certain seasons of the year, an approach to which is recog- 
nizable in several of the Bovidas. It is a heavy built, but not large creature, with 



THE MUSK OX— THE OX. 



425 



short legs, and a very lengthy brown hairy coat, which almost reaches to the 
ground. Its horns are very similar in form to those of the Cape Buffalo, and in 
the bulls they meet in the middle line of the forehead. The tail is very short, 
being entirely hidden by the fur of the haunches. The nose is not naked, as in 
the oxen, but is almost entirely covered with hair, as in the elk and reindeer, both 
Arctic ruminants also. The spread of their feet is considerable, and they can 
cover the ground at no little speed. Captain Franklin describes their habits as 
follows: "The Musk Oxen, like the buffalo, herd together in bands, and generally 
frequent barren grounds during the summer months, keeping near the rivers, but 




THE MUSK OX. 



retire to the woods in winter. They seem to be less watchful than most other 
wild animals, and when grazing are not difficult to approach, provided the hunters 
go against the wind. When two or three men get so near a herd as to fire at them 
from different points, these animals, instead of separating or running away, huddle 
closer together, and several are generally killed ; but if the wound is not mortal 
they become enraged, and dart in the most furious manner at the hunters, who 
must be very dexterous to evade them. They can defend themselves with their 
powerful horns against wolves and bears, which, as the Indians say, they not 
infrequently kill. The Musk oxen feed on the same substances as the reindeer ; 
and the prints of the feet of these two animals are so much alike, that it requires 



426 



THE RUMINANTIA. 




HEAD CHILL INGHAM BULL. 



the eye of an experienced hunter to distinguish 
them. The largest killed by us did not exceed in 
weight three hundred pounds." 

THE OX. It being quite unnecessary to 
describe the general form and proportions of this 
animal, as seen among us in a domesticated state 
— Shorthorns, Alderney, Highland, etc. — we will 
at once proceed to notice the favorite cattle of 
Chillingham Park, in Northumberland, England, 
which are known to have been in existence in the 
thirteenth century. The wild cattle there are all 
cream white, with a brown muzzle, with the in- 
sides and tips of the ears reddish brown, at the 
same time that the horns are white, tipped with 
black, of which latter color are the hoofs. Calves 
more or less colored are occasionally bora, but 
these are promptly destroyed by the keepers. 
Some of the bulls have a thin, short mane. Their 
habit, on strangers approaching them, is to "set off 
in a full gallop, and at a distance of about two hundred yards make a wheel round 
and come boldly up again, tossing their heads in a menacing manner. On a sudden 
they make a full stop at the distance of forty or fifty yards, looking wildly at the 
object of their surprise ; but upon the least motion being made, they all again turn 
round and fly off with equal speed, 
but not to the same distance, forming 
a shorter circle ; and again returning 
with a bolder and more threatening 
aspect than before, they approach 
much nearer, probably within thirty 
yards, when they again make another 
stand, and then fly off. This they do 
several times, shortening their dis- 
tance, and advancing nearer and 
nearer, till they come within such a 
short distance that most people think 
it proper to leave them, not choosing 
to provoke them further." They dif- 
fer from domestic cattle in that they 
feed at night, and generally sleep dur- 
ing the day. They also hide their 

Calves. CURLED HORNED OX. 




AMERICAN WILD CATTLE. 



427 




LONG-HORNED OX. 



It is now almost universally 
agreed that domestic cattle are des- 
cended from two or three species of 
the genus Bos, which existed in late 
geologic or prehistoric times, the 
remains being found in Switzerland, 
Ireland and other parts of Europe. 
The Zebu, Yak, Gayal, and Ami, to 
be referred to immediately, have also 
been domesticated. 

Cattle have been so distributed 
and mixed in breeding that any pre- 
cise arrangement of the breeds 
according to their ancestral affinities 
can scarcely be tabulated. Most im- 
portant of the heavy breeds are the 

well known Shorthorns. Several enterprising American breeders have introduced 
Shorthorns into the United States and Canada, Colonel Lewis Sanders, of Ken- 
tucky, being the first who did so on anything like thorough principles. Others 
followed his example with success. The Booth and Bates bloods predominate in 
these animals, and form the basis of much of the beef now shipped to England. 

The great advantage of the Shorthorn breed is that they, together with a 
good temper, combine the advantages of great size and aptitude to fatten, rapidly 

reaching maturity. For dairy pur- 
poses they are excelled by the Suffolk 
Duns and Ayrshire cattle, the latter, 
with their enormous udders, broad 
hips, and deep flanks, being the best 
as milkers. Hereford, North Devon, 
and Scottish black Shorthorns are 
inferior in their slowness of growth 
and power of filling out. 

AMERICAN WILD CATTLE. 

At the discovery of this continent no 
cattle existed in South America. 
Columbus imported some on his sec- 
ond voyage into San Domingo, and 
in 1540 some Spanish bulls and cows 
were landed in the southern parts of 
the continent. Circumstances favored 
common cow. their rapid increase, the herds became 




428 



THE R UMINANTIA. 




SYRIAN CATTLE. 



too large to be always watched, and soon 
wandered about in perfect liberty. Within a 
hundred years of their introduction, they were 
roaming over the pampas in hundreds and 
thousands, and were hunted by the natives as 
the Northern Indians hunt the bison of the 
plains.. At present the plains on both sides the 
River Platte and its tributaries are swarming 
with cattle. They all have owners. Vast 
establishments named "Estancias" are scattered 
over the pampas ; and thirty thousand cattle, 
five thousand horses, and twelve thousand 
sheep are moderate numbers for the animals 
belonging to one owner. The cattle of each 
proprietor are branded with his mark, and are looked after by Gauchos, who 
displav incredible courage, patience and skill in their occupation, collecting 
the herds when necessary, or catching those that have to be killed or sold. The 
cattle are drilled, as far as possible, to assemble on the appearance of the herds- 
man at a certain spot situated at a convenient distance from the corral, and it is no 
unusual sight to see thirty-five thousand thus assembled. The proportion of men 
employed is very small, when compared with the numbers of the oxen. The 
usual allowance is four men to every five thousand head ; thus an extent of two 
hundred thousand square miles may have only fifty inhabitants. 

Those that remain in a half-wild state, are for the most part taken with the 
lasso, and sold to the drovers in troops of five hundred each. When a five-year- 
old ox is lassoed by the horns, and he turns out a Tartar, after a few ineffectual 
shakes of the head to throw off the lasso, he directly darts at the horse, who 
immediately starts off at full speed, the foaming ox close at his heels, and fast to 
the saddle with twenty-five yards of lasso. The horse must take all that comes in 
his way ; patches of long grass that reach up to the stirrups, the burrows of the 
viscachas, and every other obstacle. Should the ox give up the chase suddenly, 
the rider must immediately check the speed of his horse, otherwise the jerk would 
break the lasso, or what is worse, it would draw the saddle back to the flanks of 
the horse, or break the girths; in which case the man would be brought to the 
ground, and be at the mercy of the furious animal, still with the lasso on his horns, 
but no longer fast to the horse. 

The troops of oxen when formed, are driven at the rate of nine to twelve 
miles a day to the Saladero or salting establishment. 

The hide is the most valuable part of the animal, and the preparation of it is 
carefully attended to. The workmen lay each hide on the flat of their left hands, 
scrape off all the beef and fat which may be adhering to the inner coating with a 
knife in the right hand, trim the edges, and then stretch out the hides by means of 



THE AMERICAN BISON. 



429 



stakes driven into the ground, if the skins are to be dried. If they are to be 
salted, a pile is made of them with layers of salt. Dried hides require much more 
time and skill than when they are only salted. In the latter case they are packed 
in casks for exportation ; in the former, when shipped, they are tied up in bundles. 
Hides form the chief export from the River Platte. 

THE BISONS. Closely related to the oxen are the bisons of Europe and of 
North America, together with the Tibetan Yak. The two species of bison agree 




THE AMERICAN BISON. 



closely with one another in general appearance, the American form being shorter 
and weaker in the hindquarters, and a little smaller altogether. 

The hair of the head and neck is very abundant and long, forming a mane of 
very dark color, at the same time that it nearlv conceals the eyes and ears as well 
as the base of the short conical horns, which are directed outward and upward. 
Under the chin there is a lengthy beard. A line of lengthy hair also extends 
along the back nearly to the tail, which is itself only covered with short soft hair, 
except at the end, where there is a long tuft. There is a hump developed on 



430 THE RUMINANTIA. 



the shoulders, at which spot the adult male is nearly six feet in height, the female 
being smaller. 

THE AMERICAN BISON {or Buffalo, as it is commonly known), was until 
recently found in huge herds on the great Western prairies, but is now nearly, if 
not quite extinct. 

Vast herds, numbering millions of individuals, " so numerous as to blacken 
the plains as far as they can reach," were common formerly, and have been known 
repeatedly to stop the Kansas Pacific railway when first formed. Hunters have 
spread false notions as to the organization of these herds, which is of a most simple 
character, excellently explained by Mr. Allen, who tells us that "the timidity and 
watchfulness of the cows, accustomed as they are, to the care of their offspring, 
lead them to take the initiative in the movements of the herd, and this keeps them 
near the front, especially when the herd is moving. The popular belief that the 
bulls keep the cows and the young in the middle of the herd, and form themselves, 
as it were, into a protecting phalanx, has some apparent basis ; but the theory that 
the old bulls, the least watchful of all the members of the herd, are sentinels 
posted on the outskirts to give notice of an approaching enemy, is wholly a myth, 
as is also the supposition that the herds consist of small harems." 

Buffaloes are much like domestic cattle in their habits. They are, however, 
very fond of wallowing in the mud, and so coating themselves with a protection 
from their insect pests. Their ferocity of appearance is not evident in their true 
natures, for their disposition is sluggish and fearful. Colonel Dodge remarks of 
them that, "endowed with the smallest possible amount of instinct, the little he 
has seems rather adapted for getting him into difficulties than out of them. If not 
alarmed at sight or smell of a foe, he will stand stupidly gazing at his companions 
in their death-throes, until the whole herd is shot down. He will walk uncon- 
sciously into a quicksand or quagmire already choked with struggling, dying 
victims. Having made up his mind to go a certain way it is almost impossible to 
swerve him from his purpose." 

The flesh of the buffalo is equal to the best beef if from the young animal, but 
dry and insipid when from the adult. The tongue and hump are esteemed great 
delicacies. 

The Yak differs from the bison mostly in the distribution of its long hair, 
which, instead of being situated on its hump and neck, forms a lengthy fringe 
along the shoulders, flanks, and thighs, and completely invests the tail, which latter 
is much prized in India, where it is known as " chowry," and is employed as a fly- 
switch in great ceremonials. 

THE YAK is a native of the high ground of Tibet, where it is rigorously 
protected by the native government against the foreign sportsman. Its color is 
black, except some spots upon the face, which are white or grey. Its tail is often 




431 



432 THE RUMINANTIA. 




white, as is frequently the long hair tuft on the top of 
the withers. Its horns reach nearly a yard in length, 
and are directed outward, forward, and then upward. 
Its voice is much like that of a pig, whence the name 
grunting ox, by which it sometimes goes. 

As to the habits of the creature, Col. Kinloch tells 
us " that the yak inhabits the wildest and most desolate 
mountains. It delights in extreme cold, and is found, 
as a rule, at a greater elevation than any other animal. 

HEAD OF CAPE BUFFALO. ' b ... , 

Although so large a beast, it thrives upon the coarsest 
pasturage, and its usual food consists of a rough, wiry grass, which grows in all 
the higher valleys of Tibet, up to an elevation of nearly 20,000 feet. Yak seem 
to wander about a good deal. In summer the cows are generally to be found in 
herds varying in number from ten to one hundred, while the old bulls are for the 
most part solitary or in small parties of three or four. They feed at night or early 
in the morning, and usually betake themselves to some steep and barren hillside 
during the day, lying sometimes for hours in the same spot." 

THE BUFFALOES. The buffaloes have the horns flattened and triangular 
in section, inclined outward and backward, turning up at the tips. The common 
buffalo is found in Southern Europe, North Africa, and in the Indian region. 
The huge Indian variety, with most lengthy horns, is also known as the Arnee. 
Its horns are elongated and narrow, sometimes reaching six feet and a half in 
length. It stands nearly or quite six feet at the shoulder. Its proportions are 
bulky, and its general color dusky black. It lives in small herds numbering not 
more than twenty, and solitary bulls are often met with which attack sportsmen 
in a most vicious manner without provocation. 

The Cape buffalo has shorter horns, expanded at their bases, so that they 
almost meet in the middle line of the forehead. It is found all over Central 
and South Africa, and is a formidable animal when wounded, as, quite regard- 
less of the cloud of smoke which follows the shot aimed at it, it charges right 
through it, and so does frequent injury to the experienced hunter. Its gen- 
eral color is blue-black, but in some cases it has a reddish tinge. The Hon. W. H. 
Drummond gives the following account of a fight between two bulls, of which he 
was an eye witness. After having had his attention attracted by a loud clattering 
noise, he remarks that, "On looking through the edge of the last thicket that had 
concealed them, I saw two buffalo bulls standing facing each other with lowered 
heads, and, as I sat down to watch, they rushed together with all their force, pro- 
ducing the loud crash I had before heard. Once the horns were interlocked they 
kept them so, their straining quarters telling that each was doing his best to force 
the other backward. Several long white marks on their necks showed where they 
had received scratches, and blood dripping over the withers of the one next me 




f>I.,^-~* -„.- ,«~--<U,--:, 



Giraffe 



THE BUFFALOES. 



433 



proved that he had received a more severe wound. It was a magnificent sight to 
see the enormous animals, every muscle at its fullest tension, striving for the 
mastery. Soon one, a very large and old bull, began to yield a little, going back- 
ward step by step ; but at last, as if determined to conquer or die, it dropped on 
to its knees. The other, disengaging its horns for a second, so as to give an 
impetus, again rushed at him, but, whether purposely or not 1 could not tell, it 
did not strike him on the forehead, but on the neck, under the hump, and I could 




THE ANOA. 



see that with a twist of his horns he inflicted a severe wound. However, instead 
of following up his seeming advantage he at once recoiled, and stood half facing 
his antagonist, who, getting on his legs again, remained in the same position for 
several minutes, and then with a low grunt of rage, rushed at him. This time he 
was not met, and his broad forehead struck full on his rival's shoulder, almost 
knocking it over. The old bull then went a few yards off and stood watching the 
other for fully a quarter of an hour, when he walked slowly away in the opposite 
direction." 



434 THE RUMINANTIA. 



The Cape buffalo, which is found all over Africa south of the equator, is 
replaced in the northeastern portion of the continent by a smaller variety, of a 
browner color, and with much shorter horns, which are not closely approximated 
at their bases, at the same time that they spread out almost horizontally instead of 
curving downward and backward. In the Island of Celebes the smallest species of 
buffalo is found, which differs but little in appearance from the young of the Cape 
species. It is known as the Anoa ; is black, with short, wavy hair, and has short 
parallel prismatic horns directed upward from the forehead. 

THE PRONGHORN ANTELOPE. This antelope of North America, one 
of the few forms of the hollow-horned ruminants which inhabit the New World, is 
different from all the other members of the group in two respects at least, namely, 
that its horns are branched, as implied in the name, and that they are annually 
shed. Each horn itself is a foot or so in its greatest length, is pointed and gently 
curved backward, at the same time that from the front of it, very slightly above 
the middle of its height, a short branch arises which is directed forward, the whole 
there dividing into two. Each horn is flattened from side to side, is not annulated, 
and in its structure scarcely differs from that of a sheep or goat. 

A band of pronghorn antelopes, when frightened, never run directly away 
from you, but cross over in front of you, running across your path from one side 
to the other repeatedly, and keeping about a hundred yards ahead. On this 
account it is sometimes easy, on a smart horse, to run into a drove of them and 
citch one of them with a noose. When one is alone, and is watched by a person 
or animal and becomes frightened, it makes a sort of shrill blowing noise like a 
whistle, and then commences bounding off. On the neck it has a heavy, thick, 
chestnut colored mane, five or six inches long, and on the rump a white patch of 
coarse hair, and when the animal is frightened it always erects the mane and the 
hair and this white spot, thus giving it a very singular and characteristic appear, 
ance as it runs bounding away from you. The antelope has a very peculiar odor, 
strong, and to some people, offensive. On the whole I consider the meat of the 
pronghorn to be excellent. 

In the females of the species the horns a*-e present, but they are much 
reduced in size, and almost hidden in the hairy covering of the head. The end of 
the nose — in other words, the muffle— is hairy, and not, therefore, damp at all 
times in any part, as is that of the ox and most ruminants. The tail is very short. 
The fur is very short and close set, being stiff and wavy. Its color is a pale 
fawn above and on the limbs, whilst the breast as well as the abdomen are a yel- 
lowish white, at the same time that the tail and round about it are pure white, as 
is the inside of the ear. 

THE MUSK DEER. This interesting animal, from the male of which is 
obtained a powder contained in a pouch, about the size of an orange, on the 



h tf JfP£ 



' 




435 



436 



THE RUMINANTIA. 




THE MUSK DEER. 



surface of the abdomen, and which is one of the most fragrant of perfumes, is 
generally included among the Cervidae. 

The musk deer is a solitary and retiring animal. It is nearly nocturnal in its 
habits, remaining concealed in some thick bush during the daytime, and only 
coming out to feed in the mornings and evenings. It frequents the highest parts 
of the forest, preferring the birch, rhododendron, and juniper, and is almost 
always found alone, rarely in pairs, and never in flocks. No animal seems more 
indifferent to cold, from which it is well protected by its thick coat of hollow hair, 
which forms as it were a sort of cushion, which acts as an insulator, and enables, 
the deer to lie even on snow without much loss of animal heat. It is amazingly 
active and sure footed, bounding along without hesitation over the steepest and 
most dangerous ground. Its usual food seems to be leaves and flowers, but the- 
natives say that it will kill and eat snakes. 

The value of the musk perfume causes the animal to be persecuted beyond 
measure. From Chardin we learn that the hunters are obliged to cover the nose 
and mouth with linen when removing the scent-sac, to prevent pulmonary haem- 
orrhage. "I have," says he, "gained accurate information respecting this circum- 
stance, and as I have heard the same thing talked of by some Armenians who had 
been to Boutan, I think that it is true. The odor is so powerful in the East 
Indies that I could never support it, and when I trafficked for musk I always kept 
in the open air, with a handkerchief over my face, and at a distance from those 
who handled the sacs; and hence I know by experience that this musk is very apt 
to create headaches, and it is altogether insupportable when quite recent. I add- 
that no drug is so easily adulterated, or more apt to be so." 



THE GIRAFFE. 



437 




THE GIRAFFE is a native of 
Africa south of the Sahara. Most of 
the specimens which reach America 
in the living state are brought from 
Nubia and the northeast of the con- 
tinent generally. The adult male 
attains a height of sixteen feet, the 
female rarely exceeding fourteen feet. 
The neck of the giraffe is longer than 
that of any other living animal. They 
live and have bred well in captivity, 
although, as may be readily imagined, 
they are most delicate, and require 
much special care, particularly to pre- 
vent the joints of their lengthy limbs 
from being injured. 

The giraffe eats with great deli- 
cacy, and takes its food leaf by leaf, 
collecting them from the trees by 
means of its long tongue. It rejects 
the thorns, and in this respect differs 
from the camel. It is extremely fond 
of society, and is very sensitive. I 
have observed one of them shed tears 
when it no longer saw its companions 
or the persons who were in the habit 
of attending it. 

By LeVaillant and other sports- 
men most graphic accounts have been 
given of the hunting of the giraffe. 
Quoting from Captain Harris, we 

learn that " the rapidity with which these awkward formed animals can move is 
beyond all things surprising, our best horses being unable to close with them 
under two miles. Their gallop is a succession of jumping str'des, the fore and 
hind leg on the same side moving together instead of diagonally, as in most other 
quadrupeds; the former being kept close together, and the latter so wide apart, 
that in riding by the animal's side the hoof may be seen striking on the outside of 
the horse, threatening momentarily to overthrow him. Their motion, altogether, 
reminded me rather of the pitching of a ship or rolling of a rocking horse, than of 
anything living; and the remarkable gait is rendered still more automaton-like by 
the switching, at regular intervals, of the long black tail, which is invariably curled 
above the back, and by the corresponding action of the neck, swinging as it does 



^W^t 



438 THE RUMINANTIA. 



like a pendulum, and literally imparting to the animal the appearance of a piece of 
machinery in motion. Naturally gentle, timid and peaceable, the unfortunate 
giraffe has no means of protecting itself but with its heels ; but even when hemmed 
into a corner, it seldom resorts to this mode of defence." 

THE DEER TRIBE, known scientifically as that of the Cervidae, is more 
circumscribed, and therefore better defined, than are the Bovidas, or hollow-horned 
ruminants. Their best distinguishing character is that in the males there is each 
year developed a pair of antlers which are shed at the end of the season to be repro- 
duced in the following spring. The females do not carry antlers, except in the 
case of the reindeer, in which, although these elegant appendages are of the same 
form as in their mates, they are constructed upon a much smaller scale. The 
Red Deer and the Fallow Deer are those best known. 

The nature, growth and shedding of the antlers deserve special consideration. 
la the commencement of the spring a pair of knobs is to be seen upon the fore- 
head of the adult male animal. This is covered with a nearly smooth, dark skin ; 
and a scar can be detected in the middle of each, which is that left by the antler 
of the year before, where it fell off. 

As the weather becomes more propitious these knobs commence to grow, feel 
warm to the touch, and are evidently filled with actively-circulating blood, sup- 
plied by special vessels which are developed at the time. They do not increase 
regularly in all directions, for if they did the antler would be a sphere, but they 
sprout out, as it may be termed, around the above mentioned scar ; in most cases 
there being one branch which takes a direction forward, whilst a second larger 
one makes its way backward. These become, in the fully-formed antler, the brow 
antler and the main beam ; and it is by other branches growing upon the beam, 
according to definite laws, different in different species, that the elaborate compli- 
cations of the fully developed structure are produced. 

As long as the antler, which is composed of genuine bone of very dense tex- 
ture, is increasing in size, it will be found to be covered with the same warm black 
skin as is the knob from which it sprang; and as this skin is covered with short, 
fine, close-set hair.it has received the name of the "velvet.'' It is this "velvet" 
which secretes the bony texture of the antler from its inner surface, just in the 
same way that the outer covering (the periosteum) of any long bone of the 
body is mainly concerned in the formation of the bone itself. As, also, in the same 
way, if we seriously graze our shins, and scrape off this covering, the bone exposed 
is very apt to die, so in the deer any mishap to the "velvet" injures the growth of 
the antler in the part affected. The animals, therefore, during the time they are 
"in velvet" are more than usually careful to protect their cranial appendages, and 
are inoffensive, even to strangers. 

When their antler-growth has ceased, their natures change. The "velvet" has 
performed its function and dries into a parchment-looking membrane, to get rid of 




YOUNG DEER. 



439 



440 THE RUMINANTIA. 



which the deer adopt a very simple method. They rub their antlers against any 
neighboring trees, and force them into the soft earth until there is none left, and 
the bare bone, with scarcely any trace of hollow in the middle of it, is completely 
exposed. Now, in the glory of their full equipment, they go in search of others of 
their kind, having previously maintained a comparative solitude. They try their 
strength by butting at imaginary enemies, and choose their wives, unless pre" 
vented by others of their species mightier than themselves, with whom, if fairly 
matched, they enter into the most formidable contests, to win or to be driven from 
the herd with ignominy. During these contests the sound of their battering ant- 
lers may be heard for considerable distances, whilst now and then, by accident, 
they interlock themselves inextricably, and perish both, as is attested by skulls so 
found, and to be seen in more than one museum. 

Looking upon the deer generally, we find them inhabiting many parts of the 
world — Europe, Asia and America. In Africa none occur south of the Sahara, 
they being replaced by members of the bovine section of the order. None are 
found in Australia, and in America they are far less common than in England. 

THE ELK, or Moose Deer. The elk, the largest of the family of the Cervidce, 
is found in North America, Nor. hern Europe, and the coldest parts of Asia, thinly 
scattered in all but the first named locality. At the shoulder it may attain so 
great a height as eight feet when adult. The female is antler-less. In the males 
these appendages possess quite a peculiar shape, the two together forming a kind 
of basin, on account of their being developed into huge palmated concave sheets 
of bony tissue, which diverge laterally from the skull. 

At nine months old the antlers first appear, not being more than straight and 
rounded dags in the first year. They reach their full length in the fifth year, from 
which period for many years they increase in breadth and weight, and add, it is 
said, a fresh point to their palmated margins until the fourteenth, when the 
creature is considered quite adult. 

The color of the animal is a deep blackish brown. The neck is short and 
thick, with a peculiar, bob-shaped, pendulous, and hair covered lap of skin 
hanging down from the middle, just behind the angles of the jaw. The limbs, 
especially the front ones, are long. The tail is rudimentary. The coat is formed 
of close-set, harsh angular hair, which breaks when bent, produced into a mane 
upon the neck and shoulders. Sir John Richardson gives the following account 
of the habits and food of the elk, with the mode of hunting it: "In the more 
northern parts the moose deer is quite a solitary animal, more than one being very 
seldom seen at a time, unless during the rutting season, or when the female is 
accompanied by her fawns. It has the sense of hearing in very great perfection, 
and is the most shy and wary of all the deer species, and on this account the art 
of moose hunting is looked upon as the greatest of an Indian's acquirements, par- 
ticularly by the Crees, who take to themselves the credit of being able to instruct 




MOOSE AND WOLVES. 



441 



442 



THE RUMINANTIA. 



the hunters of every other tribe. The skill of a moose hunter is most tried in the 
early part of the winter; for during- the summer the moose, as well as other 
animals, are so much tormented by mosquitoes that they become regardless of the 
approach of man. In the winter the hunter tracks the moose by its footmarks in 
the snow, and it is necessary that he should keep constantly to leeward of the 
chase, and make his advance with the utmost caution, tor the rustling of a with- 
ered leaf or the cracking of a rotten twig is sufficient to alarm the watchful beast. 
The difficulty of approach is increased by a habit which the moose deer has of 
making daily a sharp turn in its route, and choosing a place of repose so near some 
part of its path that it can hear the least noise made by one that attempts to track 
it. To avoid this, the judicious hunter, instead of walking in the animal's foot- 
steps, forms his judgment from the appearance of the country of the direction it 
is likely to have taken, and makes a circuit to leeward until he again finds the 
track. This manceuver is repeated until he discovers by the softness of the snow, 
in the footprints and other signs, that he is very near the chase. He then disen- 
cumbers himself of anything that might embarrass his motions, and makes his 
approach in the most cautious manner. If he gets close to the animal's lair 
without being seen, it is usual for him to break a small twig, which, alarming the 
moose, it instantly starts up, but not fully aware of the danger, squats on its hams 
and waits a minute before starting off. In this posture it presents the fairest 
mark, and the hunter's shot seldom fails to take effect in a morial part. In the 

rutting season the bucks lay aside 
their timidity, and attack every 
animal that comes in their way, 
and even conquer their fear of 
man himself. The hunter then 
brings them within gunshot by 
scraping on the bladebone of a 
deer, and by whistling, which, 
deceiving the male, he blindly 
hastens to the spot to assail his 
supposed rival. If the hunter 
fails in giving it a mortal wound 
as it approaches, he shelters him- 
self from its fury behind a tree, 
and I have heard of several 
instances in which the enraged 
animal has completely stripped 
the bark from the trunk of a 
large tree by striking it with its 
s fore feet. In the springtime, 
are seen covered with "velvet." when the snow is very deep, the 




THE RED DEER. 



443 




hunters frequently run down 
the moose on snowshoes, which 
give them immense advantage, 
because the slender legs of the 
animal sink into the snow for 
their whole length each step 
they take, which makes their 
progress very slow." 

The usual pace of a moose 
is a high shambling trot, and 
its strides are immense. On 
account of their neck being 
short at the same time that their 
legs are long, they browse upon 
the bushes rather than upon the 
ground, which they find diffi- 
culty in reaching with their 
mouths. 



THE RED DEER. This 
species is a native of the Brit- 
ish Isles and many parts of 
Europe. A well grown stag 
stands over four feet at the 
withers, with a thickly coated 
neck of a grayish tint, a rich 
red-brown body color,uniformly 
curved symmetrical antlers, and head held high. The stag in summer is a lordly 
creature. In winter its coat is longer, and of a grayer tint. As is the case in 
allied species, and all but a few of the Rusine deer, the newborn calves are bril- 
liantly spotted with white. 

The pairing season occupies the early part of October. The calves are born 
at the end of May or the beginning of June ; whilst the stags drop their antlers 
between the end of February and the earlier days of April, the youngest latest. 
Up to the age of twelve the animal continues to increase in bulk and strength, and 
it is highly probable that they do not ever much outlive twenty years, although 
superstition credits them with very many more. 

The red deer forms troops of various sizes, divided according to sex or age. 
The females and calves usually keep together; the older stags form smaller bands, 
but the master stags live alone till the breeding season comes on. At all times the 
herd, when traveling, follows a doe ; the buck appears last of all. If we see in a 
herd several stout bucks, we can with certainty look for a still stouter one some 



HEAD OF RED DEER, IN WHICH THE ANTLER IS FULLY 
DEVELOPED AND THE "VELVET" HAS DISAPPEARED. 



444 THE R UMINANTIA. 



five hundred paces behind. In winter the red deer comes down from the 
mountains, and when its horns are soft it avoids the forests. The color varies 
slightly, according to the time of year. In summer its coat is a warm reddish 
brown, but in winter the ruddy hue becomes gray. The young, .which are born 
about April, have the fur mottled with white about the back and sides, the white 
marking gradually fading as they increase in size. The young deer, for a short 
time after its birth, is very helpless, and crouches close to the ground till it looks 
like a block of stone when it has been warned by its mother that danger is nigh. 

All the movements of the stag are full of grace and dignity, and its speed, 
when it is in full gallop, is incredibly swift. Immense leaps are executed with 
sportive lightness, all obstacles surmounted, and lakes or streams crossed by 
swimming. Its senses of hearing, smell and sight are highly developed. It can 
scent a man perhaps six hundred yards off, and hears the slightest rustle made by 
its pursuer. Like many animals it seems to have a love for some kinds of music. 
The notes of a flute will attract it, or at least bring it to a standstill. The stag 
does not seem possessed of much intelligence. It is shy, but not cautious. It 
acts without reflection when its passions are aroused. Although it has several 
times been partially tamed, and even trained to run in harness, the stag is a very 
unsafe servant, and at certain seasons becomes dangerous. In attacking, it uses 
its fore feet with terrible effect, the hard, sharp-edged hoofs being formidable 
weapons. 

Formerly, the stag was placed in Europe under the protection of the severest 
penalties, its slaughter being visited with capital punishment on the offender if he 
could be known and arrested. Indeed, a man who murdered his fellow might 
hope to escape retribution except by the avenging hand of some relation of the 
slain man, but if he were unfortunate or daring enough to dip his hands in the 
blood of a stag, he could hope for no mercy if he were detected in the offence. 

THE WAPITI is the largest of all the true deer. The adult male measures 
nearly five feet in height at the shoulders, and about eight feet from the nose to the 
tail. It is very commonly known by the name of elk. 

The herds of Wapiti vary in number from ten or twenty to three or four hun- 
dred ; but each one is always under the command of an old leader. When it halts, 
the herd halts; when it moves on, the herd follows; they all wheel right or left, 
advance and retreat with almost military precision when it commands. The 
proud position of ruler is gained by dint of many a fight; and the combats are 
unusually fierce, often indeed ending in the death of one of the rivals. Sometimes 
both perish miserably ; their branching horns become inextricably locked, and the 
two adversaries, united in a common fate, slowly succumb to hunger and thirst. 
When the antagonists meet, they do not push with their horns, but backing from 
each other for about twenty feet, with blazing eyes, hair turned the wrong way, 
and heads lowered, rush together like knights in the tournay, with tremendous 



THE WAPITI. 



445 




'HE WAPITI FIGHTING. 



speed. At the moment of contact there is a snort of defiance, then a crash of 
horns, and then each backs off for a new start. This combative nature is retained 
even in captivity. Audubon relates the following anecdote: "A gentleman in the 
interior of Pennsylvania, who kept a pair of Wapiti in a large woodland pasture, 
was in the habit of taking pieces of bread or a few handfuls of corn with him 
when he walked in the inclosure, to feed these animals, calling them up for the 
amusement of his friends. Having occasion to pass through his park one day, 
and not having furnished himself with bread and corn for his pets, he was followed 
by the buck, who expected his usual gratification. The gentleman, irritated by its 
pertinacity, turned round and hit it a sharp blow, upon which, to his astonishment 
and alarm, the buck, lowering his head, rushed at him and made a furious pass 
with his horns. Luckily, the man stumbled as he attempted to fly, and fell be- 
tween two prostrate trunks of trees where the Wapiti was unable to injure him, 
although it butted at him repeatedly and kept him prisoner for more than an 
hour." 

Stalking the species is a common sport, but there is not so much interest asso- 
ciated with it as with moose stalking, because it is a more stupid creature, and its 
senses are less acutely developed. When started, a herd will make off for a short 
distance, and stop to recognize the source of danger before continuing its flight. 
Its food is mostly leaves of trees and shrubs, though it frequently eats grass 
and weeds. Dr. J. D. Caton, of Ottawa, Illinois, has published many inter- 
esting details with regard to this species. Among others he mentions, with 
reference to the young, that "the most prominent instinct of the young fawn 



446 THE RUMINANTIA. 



is that of deception. I have several times come across fawns evidently but a few 
hours old, left by the mother in supposed security. They affect death to perfec- 
tion, only they forget to close their eyes. They lie without a motion, and if you 
pick them up they are as limp as a wet rag, the head and limbs hanging down 
without the least muscular action, the bright eye fairly sparkling all the time." 
The venison is excellent ; it is said to be more nutritious than any other meat. 

THE FALLOW DEER is well known on account of its being preserved in 
a semi-domesticated state in so many English parks. The buck is about three feet 
high at the shoulder. The head is short and broad, the tail between seven and 
eight inches long. The color of the wild animal, both buck and doe, is a rich yel- 
lowish-brown in summer, spotted with white all over. In winter the tints are 
more somber and grayish. Domestic varieties vary immensely, both in the dis- 
tinctness of the sporting and the general coloration. 

THE VIRGINIAN DEER. Perhaps no species of wild animal inhabiting 
North America, deserves to be regarded with more interest than the common or 
Virginian deer ; its symmetrical form, graceful, curving leap or bound, and its 
rushing speed, when, flying before its pursuers, it passes like a meteor by the 
startled traveler in the forest, exciting admiration, though he be ever so dull an 
observer. 

The tender, juicy, savory, and above all, digestible qualities of its flesh, are 
well known; and venison is held in highest esteem from the camp of the back- 
woodsman to the luxurious tables of the opulent, and a fat haunch with jelly and 
chafing dishes is almost as much relished as a " hunter's steak," cooked in the open 
air on a frosty evening far away in the West. The skin is of the greatest service 
to the wild man, and also useful to the dweller in towns; dressed and smoked by 
the squaw, until soft and pliable, it will not shrink with all the wettings to which 
it is exposed. In the form of moccasins, leggins, and hunting shirts, it is the most 
material part of the dress of many Indian tribes, and in the civilized world is used 
for breeches, gloves, gaiters and various other purposes. 

In November, and sometimes a little earlier, the rutting season commences, 
when the neck of the buck begins to dilate to a large size. He is now constantly 
on foot, and nearly in a full run, in search of the does. On meeting with other 
males, tremendous battles ensue, when, in some rare instances, the weaker animal 
is gored to death ; generally, however, he flies from the vanquisher, and follows 
him, crestfallen, at a respectful and convenient distance, ready to turn on his 
heels and scamper off at the first threat of his victorious rival. In these 
rencontres, the horns of the combatants sometimes become interlocked in such a 
manner that they cannot be separated, and the pugnacious bucks are consigned to 
a lingering and inevitable death by starvation. "We have endeavored to disengage 
the e horns, but found them so completely entwined that no skill or strength of ours 




FALLOW DEER (DOE) AND YOUNG. 



L47 



448 THE RUM I NAN TI A. 



was successful. We have several times seen two, and on one occasion, three pair 
of horns thus interlocked, and ascertained that the skulls and skeletons of the 
deer had always been found attached. These battles only take place during the 
rutting season, when the horns are too firmly attached to be separated from the 
skull. Indeed, we have seen a horn shot off in the middle by a hall, whilst the 
stump still continued firmly seated on the skull." The rutting season continues 
about two months, the largest and oldest does being earliest sought for, and those 
of eighteen months at a later period. About the month of January, the bucks 
drop their horns, when, as if conscious of having been shorn of their strength and 
honors, they seem humbled, and congregate peaceably with each other, seeking 
the concealment of the woods, until they can once more present their proud 
antlers to the admiring herd. Immediately after the rutting season, the bucks 
begin to grow lean. Their incessant traveling during the period of venery — their 
fierce battles with their rivals, and the exhaustion consequent on shedding and 
replacing their horns by a remarkably rapid growth, render them emaciated and 
feeble for several months. About three weeks after the old antlers have been shed, 
the elevated knobs of the young horns make their appearance. They are at first 
soft and tender, containing numerous bloodvessels, and the slightest injury causes 
them to bleed freely. They possess a considerable degree of heat, grow rapidly, 
branch off into several ramifications, and gradually harden. They are covered 
with a soft, downy skin, and are now in what is called " velvet." When the horns 
are fully grown, which is usually in July or August, the buck shows a restless pro- 
pensity to rid himself of the velvet covering, which ha's now lost its heat, and 
become dry; hence he is constantly engaged in rubbing his horns against bushes 
and saplings, often destroying the tree by wounding and tearing the bark, and by 
twisting and breaking off the tops. The system of bony development now ceases 
altogether, and the horns become smooth, hard and solid. 

This animal cannot exist without water, being obliged nightly to visit some 
stream or spring for the purpose of drinking. Deer are fond of salt, and Iij e 
many other wild animals, resort instinctively to salt-licks or saline springs. The 
hunters, aware of this habit, watch at these " licks," as they are called, and destroy 
vast numbers of them. We have visited some of these pools, and seen the deer 
resorting to them in the mornings and evenings, and by moonlight. They did 
not appear to visit them for the mere purpose of drinking, but after walking 
around the sides, commenced licking the stones and the earth on the edges, pre- 
ferring in this manner to obtain this agreeable condiment, to taking a sudden 
draught and then retiring. On the contrary, they lingered for half an hour around 
the spring, and after having strayed away for some distance, they often returned 
a second and even a third time to scrape the sides of it, and renew the licking pro- 
cess. Our common deer may be said to be nocturnal in its habits, yet on the 
prairies, or in situations where seldom disturbed, herds of deer may be seen feed- 
ing late in the morning and early in the afternoon. Their time for rest, in such 



VIRGINIAN DEER— INDIAN MUNTJAC. 449 

situations, is generally the middle of the day. In the Atlantic States, where con- 
stantly molested by the hunters, they are seldom seen after sunrise, and do not 
rise from their bed until the dusk of tbe evening. The deer is more frequently 
seen feeding in the daytime during spring and summer, than in winter; a rainy 
day, and snowy, wintry weather, also invite it to leave its uncomfortable hiding 
place and indulge in its roaming habits. 

The Virginian deer has been often tamed. A pair kept as pets by Audubon 
were most mischievous creatures. They would jump into his study window, and 
when the sashes were shut would leap through glass and woodwork like harlequins 
in a pantomime. They ate the covers of his books, nibbled his papers, and 
scattered them in sad confusion, gnawed the carriage harness, cropped all the 
garden plants, and finally took to biting off the heads of his ducklings and 
chickens. 

The Muntjac form a group of small and elegant deer found in India, Burmah, 
China, the Malay Peninsula, and the large islands of the lndo-Malay Archipelago. 
They differ from all other members of the family in that their diminutive antlers 
are supported on lengthy bony pedestals, covered with a hairy skin much like the 
horn-processes of the giraffe. Most, also, have a pair of elongated longitudinal 
ridges between the eyes, within the folds of which small glands are situated, at 
the same time that there is a dark crest of retroverted hair, tending to the shape 
of a horseshoe upon the forehead. In the males the upper canine teeth develop 
into tusks, which project externally some way below the lip, though not so far as 
in the musk, forming efficient instruments of attack. 

THE INDIAN MUNTJAC, or Kidang, is a small and elegant deer found in 
India, Java and China. Its antlers are not more than four inches long, composed 
of an undivided beam, at the base of which there is a diminutive brow-tyne. Its 
size is slightly less than that of the Roebuck, its color uniformly foxy red-brown, 
with the throat, hind part of abdomen and under surface of tail white. A black 
line runs up the inner side of each antler-pedestal of the male, instead of forming 
the frontal horseshoe of the female. 

Dr. Horsfield tell us that in Java, where it is much hunted, "The muntjac 
selects for its retreat certain districts, to which it forms a peculiar attachment, 
and which it never voluntarily deserts. Manv of these are known as the favorite 
resort of our animal for several generations. They consist of moderately elevated 
grounds, diversified by ridges and valleys, tending toward the acclivities of the 
more considerable mountains, or approaching the confines of extensive forests. * 
* * The muntjac has a strong scent, and is easily tracked by dogs. When 
pursued it does not go off, like the stag, in any accidental direction; its flight, 
indeed, is very swift at first, but it soon relaxes, and taking a circular course, 
returns to the spot from which it was started. After several circular returns, if 
the pursuit be continued, the kidang thrusts its head into a thicket, and in this si:- 
29 



450 THE RUMINANTIA. 



uation remains fixed and motionless, as if in a place of security, and regardless of 
the approach of the sportsman." 

In China the muntjacs are smaller than those of India and Java; their antlers 
are less developed at the same time that the tint of their coats is less rufous, and 
the neck is not white. It is there usually found in small herds, basking in the sun, 
or lying in hidden lairs. They are very seldom approached near, except by 
stealth. The least noise startles them, and they dash away with bounds through 
the yielding grass, occasionally showing their rounded backs above the herbage. 
They have, however, their regular creeps and passes through the covert, near 
which the natives lie when stalking them, while others drive them. The little 
startled creatures hurry from danger along these beaten tracks, and are then 
picked off with the matchlock. In captivity they soon become very docile, even 
when taken in the adult state. The flesh of this animal is very tender and pal- 
atable. 

THE CHINESE ELAPHURE. This most interesting deer was discovered 
in 1865 by the indefatigable French naturalist, M. Armand David. In his account 
of the animal Dr. Sclater tells us that M. David first observed it whilst looking 
over the wall of the imperial hunting park at Pekin, to which no European is 
allowed admission. There it is found in a semi-domesticated state, its native place 
probably being Eastern Mantchuria. In 1869 Sir Rutherford Alcock succeeded 
in sending a living pair to England, where they were exhibited for some time in 
the gardens in the Regent's Park, and from which much information has been 
obtained with reference to their habits. It resembles the Swamp deer of India in 
its proportions and size, standing nearly four feet at the shoulder. The legs are 
somewhat heavy and the feet expanded, but it is in its antlers that the elaphure is 
different from any other deer. They are represented in the accompanying 
engraving, from which the abrupt ascent of the beam, with an enormous back- 
tyne arising from the lower end, and no brow-tyne. may be most clearly seen. 
The beam branches higher up, but its bifurcations follow none of the ordinary 
rules of cervine antler growth. 

THE REINDEER, or Caribou, which differs from all its allies in that the 
females carry antlers as well as the males, forms so important an element in the 
social economy of the Laplanders that more has been written on its habits than of 
any other species of the family. It is found distributed throughout the Arctic 
regions of Europe, Asia, and America. In Spitzbergen, Finland and Lapland it 
attains the greatest size, being inferior in strength and stature in Norway and 
Sweden. In Iceland it has been introduced, and thrives. The Caribou is the 
name by which it goes in the New World, where it extends through Greenland, 
Canada and Newfoundland. The horns of the American variety differ from those 
of the Old World so much that it is not difficult to recognize their origin. 




THE CHINESE ELAPHURE. 



451 



452 THE RUMINANTIA. 



The animal, with a characteristic deer-like form, is powerfully built, with 
short limbs and heavy neck. The feet have the false hoofs well developed, while 
the fissure between the median toes is so much extended upward, and the liga- 
ments which bind them together are so loose, that their hoofs spread out consid- 
erably when pressed upon the ground, and so increase the surface for support 
upon the yielding snow — their most frequent foothold. Upon raising the limbs 
in rapid action these hoofs make a sharp snap at the moment when they close 
together. 

Individuals vary much in tint as well as with the season. Some are entirely 
white, whilst in winter the coat is always lighter than in summer. Deep brown is 
the prevailing tint, and there is generally a band of white above each hoof. As in 
the elk — another Arctic ruminating animal — the muffle of the nose is covered with 
hair, and is not moist. The fur is of two sorts — an outer covering of longer, 
harsh, brittle hair, and an undercoat of closely matted and much finer, wool-like 
texture, which serves as an excellent protection against the inclement tempera- 
ture, and makes the skins so valuable for articles of clothing in the Arctic regions. 

The antlers are strikingly large for the size of their owners. Although they 
vary considerably in detail, the general plan of their construction is always the 
same, agreeing with that of the Virginian deer. 

The Woodland Caribou and the Barren Ground Caribou are the names given 
to a larger and a smaller breed in Canada. Both are hunted by the Indians for 
their flesh as well as for their hides, the venison obtained from the latter being held 
in high estimation. The pounded meat, when mixed with melted fat, is known as 
pemmican. The tongue is esteemed a great delicacy. 

The reindeer, from the nature of the country it inhabits, is compelled to lead a 
migratory life, in which the natives of Lapland, who have to depend entirely for 
their sustenance on the animal, have to participate. Troops of them during the 
winter months reside in the woods, from the trees of which they feed on the 
lichens which depend from their boughs, as well as from those which grow upon 
the ground beneath. In the spring they repair to the mountains in order to 
escape the swarms of stinging gnats and gadflies which infest the air, and inflict 
wounds in the skin, of most serious severity. 

All the senses of the reindeer are good ; its power of smell is remarkable, it 
can hear as keenly as a stag, and its sight is so sharp that a hunter, even coming 
against the wind, has to conceal himself most carefully. They are, according to 
the testimony of all sportsmen, shy and cunning in the highest degree. During 
the summer their food consists of Alpine plants, in winter they scrape away the 
snow with their feet, and eat the lichens on the rocks. 

The chase of the reindeer is of the highest importance to the Northern tribes. 
Many of those in Siberia depend entirely on the reindeer for food, clothing, con- 
veyance and shelter. The chase of the reindeer decides whether there will be 
famine or prosperity, and the season when these animals migrate is the harvest 






) 




REINDEER PURSUED EY WOLVES. 



454 



THE RUM IN AN TI A. 



time. The hunters attack them when crossing a river, and the slaughter made on 
these occasions can be best described as immense. 

The reindeer is domesticated by the Lapps and Finns, as well as by the 
Samoyede tribes, the Ostzaks, Tunguses, and others in Siberia. According to 
Norwegian statistics, the Lapps in that kingdom possess seventy-nine thousand 
reindeer. It is the support and pride, the joy and riches, the plague and torment 
of the Laplander. He is the slave of his reindeer; where they go, he must follow- 







THE WATER DEERLET, OR CHEVROTAIN. 

He has to be out for months, tormented in summer by the mosquitoes, half-killed 
in winter by the cold, and with no other companion than his dog. The latter is an 
indispensable auxiliary ; watchful, sagacious, reliable, it obeys every sign of its 
master, and will for days keep the herd together by its own independent action. 
The uses to which the tame reindeer is put are manifold. The Lapps use it for 
driving, the Tunguses mount and ride on their backs. On even ground it can 
travel seven or eight miles an hour, but its ordinary pace is four or five miles. 

The mode of harnessing and driving the reindeer is most simple. A collar of 
skin is fastened round its neck, and from this a trace hangs down, which, passing 



WATER DEERLET— CAMEL. 



455 



under the belly, is fastened into a hole • ~ 
bored in the front of the sledge. The / " 
rein consists of a single cord fastened to 
the root of the animal's antlers, and the 
driver drops it on the right or left side 
of the back, according to the side to 
which he wishes to direct the animal. 
The vehicle being very light, traveling 
may be rapidly performed in this equi- 
page, but not without running some risk 
of breaking your neck; for, to avoid 
being upset, one must be very skillful in 
this sort of locomotion. The Laplander 
becomes by practice a perfect master of 
this art. 

We have not yet mentioned the most 
important articles this ruminant of the 
Arctic regions yields man. The female 
produces milk superior to that of the 
cow, and from it butter and cheese of 

excellent quality are made. Its flesh, which is nutritious and sweet, forms a 
precious alimentary resource, and almost the only one in the polar regions. Its 
coat furnishes thick and warm clothing, and its skin is converted into strong and 
supple leather. 




\^ 



CAMEL S HEAD. 



THE WATER DEERLET of West Africa is about twenty inches long and 
ten inches high at the shoulder. Its deep glossy brown coat is streaked with 
white lines, and is irregularly spotted. 

All the deerlets are particularly delicate, diminutive, and graceful animals, 
the slenderness and clear cut outlines of the limbs being exceedingly striking. 
With bodies as big as that of a hare or rabbit, their legs are not so thick as a 
cedar penholder or a clay pipe stem. Their proportions are very much those of 
the small water bucks of Africa, and many of the kinds of deer, especially the hog 
deer of India, in which the body, as in them, is not carried very high above the 
ground. The want of antlers in both sexes makes them resemble hinds rather 
than stags at first sight, whilst their elegantly pointed noses, and large dark eyes, 
add to their general interesting appearance. 



THE CAMELS form a very restricted group of two species. They now 
exist only in a state of domestication. The feet, instead of being protected by 
hoofs, are covered with a hardened skin, inclosing the cushion-like soles of the 
feet, which are so constructed that they spread out laterally when brought in con- 



456 



THE R UM1NANTIA. 



tact with the ground, an arrangement of evident advantage to desert-ranging ani- 
mals. The tips of each of the two toes are protected by nails instead of hoots. 
They have no horns, and the upper lip is cleft. In the walls of the stomach there 
are present two extensive collections of " water cells," which serve their owners 
in good stead while traversing the desert or residing in regions where fresh water 
is not to be procured except with difficulty. These water cells, seen from within, 
are formed by the development of septa, both transverse and longitudinal, in the 
substance of the paunch wall. They are deep and narrow, much like the cells of 
a honeycomb, and have a muscular membrane covering their mouths t in which 




WATER CELLS OF THE CAMELS STOMACH. 



there is an oval orifice opposite to each compartment capable of being further 
dilated or completely closed, probably at the will of the animal. When fully dis- 
tended, these cells in the Arabian camel are capable of storing a gallon and a half 
of water. 



THE TRUE CAMEL. The one-humped camel of Arabia is frequently 
termed the dromedary, but this latter name is correctly applicable only to the 
swift variety of the species, which is employed for riding, the heavier built one- 
humped pack camel not being included under the designation. 

It is the Arabian Camel — the Ship of the Desert — which is more serviceable 
to man than its Bactrian ally. Its distribution has extended westward along 



THE TRUE CAMEL. 



457 



North Africa, from which attempts have been made to introduce it into Spain. 
Eastward it is found as far as India. 

In the camel the limbs and neck are lengthy. A single bulky lump is present 
on the middle of the back, composed of fatty cells held together by strong bands 
of fibrous tissue which cross in all directions. Like all similar accumulations, it 
varies much in size according to the condition of the animal, dwindling almost to 



^^^K 




THE TRUE CAMEI 



nothing after protracted hard work and bad feeding, being firm and full in times 
of ease and plenty. When on the point of commencing a lengthy journey, there 
is nothing on which an Arab lavs so much stress as on the condition of his camel's 
hump, which, from what we have just said, must be considered to be nothing more 
or less than a reserved store of food. 

Upon the chest, the elbows, the fore knees (true wrists), knees and hocks, 
callous pads of hardened skin are found, upon which the creature supports its 
weight whilst kneeling down, a position in which it always rests, and one which it 
assumes when being loaded. These pads are present in the newborn camel calf, 



458 THE R UMINANTIA, 



proving, contrary to the view maintained by some, that they are not the direct 
result of pressure, but are special provisions in accordance with the requirements 
of the species, arrived at by a process of natural selection, those individuals alone 
surviving in which there is the power of resisting the injurious effects of pro- 
tracted strain upon a few spots of the skin. 

The coat is, in the summer, scanty ; in the winter, of considerable length, and 
matted into lumps. The two-toed feet are very much expanded, and tipped with 
a pair of small hoofs. The lips are covered with hair, the upper one being split 
up for some distance in the middle line. The nostrils, when closed, are linear, and 
from their construction prevent sand from entering the air passages when the 
animal desires it. The tail is of fair length, reaching to the ankle joint. There is 
a fixity about its attitudes, and a formality about its paces, which is quite charac- 
teristic. Its power of enduring fatigue upon its scanty fare, whilst carrying a 
weight as great as six hundred pounds, together with its endurance, makes it 
invaluable in its desert home. 

A stolid obstinacy is its usual disposition. Mr. Palgrave, criticising the repu- 
tation that the animal has for docility, remarks : " If docile means stupid, well 
and good. In such a case the camel is the very model of docility. But if the 
epithet is intended to designate an animal that takes an interest in its rider so far 
as a beast can ; that in some way understands his intentions, or shares them in a 
subordinate fashion ; that obeys from a sort of submissive or half fellow-feeling 
with his master, like the horse or elephant ; then I say that the camel is by no 
means docile — very much the contrary. He takes no heed of his rider, pays no 
attention whether he be on his back or not, walks straight on when once set 
a-going, merely because he is too stupid to turn aside ; and then, should some 
tempting thorn or green branch allure him out of his path, continues to walk on in 
the new direction, simply because he is too dull to turn back into the right road. 
In a word, he is from first to last an undomesticated and savage animal rendered 
serviceable by stupidity alone, without much skill on his master's part, and any 
co-operation on his own, save that of an extreme passiveness. Neither attach- 
ment nor even habit impresses him. Never tame, though not wide awake enough 
to be exactly wild.'' 

Nevertheless, the animal undoubtedly gives indications of intelligence when 
it has been badly treated, if we may judge from its revengeful nature, well 
illustrated in the following account : "A valuable camel, working in an oil mill, 
was severely beaten by its driver. Perceiving that the camel had treasured 
up the injury, and was only waiting a favorable opportunity for revenge, he kept 
a strict watch upon the animal. Time passed away. The camel, perceiving that 
it was watched, was quiet and obedient, and the driver began to think that the 
beating was forgotten, when one night, after the lapse of several months, the man 
was sleeping on a raised platform in the mill, whilst, as is customary, the camel 
was stabled in a corner. Happening to awake, the driver observed by the bright 



TRUE CAMEL— BACTRI AN CAMEL. 459 

moonlight that, when all was quiet, the animal looked cautiously around, rose 
softly, and stealing toward a spot where a bundle of clothes and a bernous, thrown 
carelessly on the ground, resembled a sleeping figure, cast itself with violence 
upon them, rolling with all its weight, and tearing them most viciously with its 
teeth. Satisfied that its revenge was complete, the camel was returning to its 




iN CAMEL. 



corner, when the driver sat up and spoke. At the sound of his voice, and per- 
ceiving the mistake it had made, the animal was so mortified at the failure and dis- 
covery of its scheme, that it dashed its head against the wall and died on the spot." 

THE BAGTRIAN CAMEL. The two-humped camel is found in the regions 
to the east and north of the home of its one-humped ally, extending as far as Pekin 
and Lake Baikal. It is a heavier, shorter legged, and thicker-coated species, at 



4'60 



THE R UMINANTIA. 




THE LLAMi 



the same time that the 
feet are more adapted to 
a less yielding soil from 

I their greater callousness. 

: The hair is specially- 
abundant upon the top 
of the head, the arm, 
wrist, throat, and humps. 
There is no variety of 

: this species correspond- 

f ing to the Dromedary 
or one-humped camel. 

THE LLAMAS, when 

the term is employed in 
its wider sense, include 
the American represen- 
tatives of the camel tribe, 
none of which have any 
trace of the dorsal hump 
or humps found in their 
Old World allies. They are mountain animals, found in the Cordilleras of Peru 
and Chili, in this respect also differing from the desert-loving camels, with which 
they agree in all important structural peculiarities, including the stomach, lips, 
nostrils and coat. The feet are somewhat modified in accordance with the rocky 
nature of the mountain regions which they inhabit, the sole-pads being less consid- 
erable, and almost completely divided into two hard cushions, with a long and 
hooked nail in the front of each. 

Llamas were found domesticated when South America was first discovered by 
the Spaniards, and as there were then no mules or horses there, these creatures 
were employed exclusively as beasts of burden, as well as for their flesh, their 
wool and hides. Their disposition and their habits also resemble those of the 
camel. They have their own peculiar gait and speed, from which they cannot 
well be made to vary. When irritated they foam at the mouth and spit, sulking 
and lying down when overloaded. As beasts of burden their most important use 
is to convey the ores from the mines of Potosi and elsewhere in the /\ndean 
range. From the account of Augustin de Zerate, who was a Peruvian Spanish 
government official in the middle of the sixteenth century, we learn that "in places 
where there is no snow the natives want water, and to supply this deficiency they 
fill the skins of sheep (llamas being meant) with water, and make other living sheep 
carry them, for it must be remarked that these sheep of Peru are large enough to 
serve as beasts of burden. They can carry about one hundred pounds or more, and 




THE LLAMA— THE ALPACA. 461 

the Spaniards used to ride them, and they would go 

four or five leagues a day. When they are weary 

they lie down upon the ground, and as there is no 

means of making them get up, either by beating or 

assailing them, the load must of necessity be taken 

off. When there is a man on one of them, if the 

beast is tired he turns his head round and discharges 

his saliva, which has an offensive odor, into the 

rider's face. These animals are of great use and 

service to their masters, for their wool is very good 

and fine, particularly that of the breed called Pacas, which have very long fleeces ; 

and the expense of their food is trifling, as a handful of maize suffices them, and 

they can go four or five days without water. Their flesh is as good as that of 

the fat sheep of Castile.'' 

THE ALPACA is smaller than the llama, very like a sheep, with a long neck, 
and well-shaped head. The wool is long and very soft, and white or black in 
color. 

The Alpacas live in large herds, which pasture all the year on the plateaux, 
and which are only collected to be shorn. There is, perhaps, no more obstinate 
animal than the Alpaca. When one is separated from the herd, it flings itself on 
the ground, and neither coaxing nor flogging can make it get up; it will rather 
die than stir ; the only way to induce it to exert itself is to bring up another herd, 
and then it condescends to join itself to them. The wool attains the length of 
nearly four inches, and has from time beyond the memory of man been spun into 
garments. The Indians make from it tablecloths and other things which are 
remarkable for wearing well, and having a smooth surface. The Incas of Peru had 
great masters in the textile art. The most skilful lived near the Lake of Titicaca. 
They dyed the wool with various herbs. The present Indians have lost the art, 
except in its ruder manufacture of coverlets and cloaks. The best wool is sent to 
Europe, where, as we all know, it is spun and woven into a variety of articles. 

All attempts to acclimatize alpacas in Europe have failed. Nor do they suc- 
ceed any better in Australia. An Englishman named Leeds was sent out by the 
government of New South Wales to procure the animals from Bolivia. But the 
Bolivian government forbade the exportation, and only after great difficulties did 
he manage to ship three hundred alpacas. Five years later, after the government 
had spent fifteen thousand pounds, scarcely a dozen of the animals were alive, 
while the young ones born from the imported ancestors were in a very poor con- 
dition. There are, however, many places where they might be domesticated, but 
it is not worth the while to do so, such places being already occupied by more 
profitable animals. The alpacas are enduring, require little attention, and breed 
fast, and in addition to their wool, supply good flesh. They are never used for 



462 



THE RUMINANTIA. 



carrying- burdens, but kept solely for the hair and flesh. To obtain the former, 
the herds are annually driven in and shorn, which is no light task with an animal 
so full of natural obstinacy. The shearing over, they are again turned loose. 




CHAPTER XIX. 

ORDER X.— RODENTIA. 

While the last few chapters have been devoted to orders which contain the 
largest and most powerful of terrestrial mammalia, we have now to treat of a 
group, all the members of which are of comparatively small size. " Mice, rats, 
and such small deer," to use Shakespeare's phrase, make up a great proportion of 
the order Rodentia. The biggest of them is only about the size of a small pig ; 
and perhaps the common house rat, or, at any rate, the common squirrel, may be 
taken as showing the average dimensions of a rodent. But, although from this 
point of view they may be looked upon as " a feeble folk," their numerous species 
render them a most important section of the mammalian fauna of nearly all 
countries, and this importance is greatly increased, practically, by the immense 
number of individuals by which each species is usually represented. 

The Rodentia, or gnawing mammals, notwithstanding the great number of the 
species and the immense variety of forms which they display, constitute, perhaps, 
the most definitely circumscribed order of the mammalia. In most other groups 
of the same value, we find that some types exhibit divergent characters, which 
render it difficult to frame a general description of the order which shall include 
them; or else some species present a marked tendency toward some other order; 
but in the case of the rodents, we never have any difficulty ; a cursory inspection 
of the dentition is always sufficient to decide whether a quadruped belongs to the 
Rodentia or not ; and in spite of an almost infinite variety of form, the structure 
of the rest of the organism is most clearly in accordance with the evidence derived 
from the teeth. 

The teeth are only of two kinds — incisors and grinders — and the number of 
efficient teeth of the former kind is never more than two in each jaw. Almost 
throughout the order, indeed, there are actually, even from the first, only two 
incisors present ; but in the hares and rabbits, and some allied forms, there are in 
the upper jaw, in addition to the working teeth, a pair of rudimentary incisors, 
piaced immediately behind the large ones, but quite incapable of taking any part 
in the business of gnawing, for which the latter are so admirably fitted. Their 
presence is, however, of interest, as indicating the direction in which an alliance 
with other forms of mammalia more abundantly supplied with teeth, is to be 
sought. 

463 



464 THE RODENTIA. 



The great incisors, which are characteristic of the rodents, exhibit the following 
peculiarities: They possess no roots, but spring from a permanent pulp, so that 
they continue growing during the whole life of the animal; and their form, and 
that of the cavity which constitutes their socket, is always that of a segment of a 
circle, in consequence of which, they always protrude from the front of the ja s 
in the same direction, and meet at the same angle. By this means, as the teeth are 
worn away at their summits by use in gnawing, a fresh supply of tooth is con- 
tinually being pushed forward to take the place of the portion thus removed, and, 
in fact, so intimately are the two functions of use and growth correlated in the 
teeth of these animals, that if by chance one of the incisors should get broken, or 
the natural opposition of these teeth should be disturbed in consequence of injury 
to the jaw, the teeth, thus deprived of their natural check, continue growing, and, 
following the curve of their sockets, gradually form circular tusks, which must 
always be greatly in the way of the animal when feeding, and sometimes, by 
actually penetrating again into the mouth, cause its death by absolute starvation. 
The teeth themselves are composed of dentine, coated along the front surface 
with a layer of hard enamel, which substance is wanting on the other surfaces of 
the teeth, except in the hares, rabbits, and other forms with additional rudimentary 
incisors in the upper jaw, in which, as further evidence of their relationship to the 
other mammalia, the whole surface of the incisors is encased in enamel, although 
this coat is excessively thin except on the front or outer face. The purpose of 
this structure of the incisors is easily understood. In the action of gnawing, the 
dentine, which forms the greater part of the tooth, is more easily abraded than 
the harder enamel, which is thus left as a sharp front edge, to which the mass of 
dentine behind it, being worn away into a beveled surface, gives the necessary 
firmness and support, the whole forming a chisel-like instrument, constructed pre- 
cisely on the principle of those tools in which a thin plate of hard steel forms the 
cutting edge, and is stiffened by a thicker beveled plate of softer iron. 

The grinders are sometimes furnished with true roots, but are more com- 
monly open below, and provided, like the incisors, with a permanent pulp. They 
are sometimes tubercular, at least in youth, but generally show a flat, worn 
surface with transverse bands, or re-entering folds, and sometimes cylinders of 
enamel, which display a great variety of patterns. Sometimes the enamel is con- 
fined to the surface of the tooth. In other cases each tooth is, as it were, made up 
of two or more variously shaped tubular portions of enamel, filled up with dentine. 
Curiously enough, this structure of the grinders, especially the arrangement of the 
transverse ridges and plates of enamel in these little animals, reminds us strongly 
of the characters of the molars of the gigantic Proboscidea, in which, moreover, 
the incisors are also represented by the permanently growing tusks. The feet 
have usually five toes, but sometimes this number is reduced to four, or even to 
three, in the hind feet. These toes are armed with claws, which, however, in one 
family, acquire more or less of the appearance of hoofs. 




oarolina orray Squirrel 



THE TRUE SQUIRREL. 465 



In point of intelligence the rodentia do not stand high. The brain is com- 
paratively small, and the cerebral hemispheres show no traces of those convolu- 
tions of the surface which are characteristic of most mammals. The organs of the 
senses are generally well developed, and the eyes and external ears, especially, are 
often of large size. In the mole rats and some other burrowing animals, however, 
the external ears are entirely wanting, and the eyes are very much reduced in size, 
and in some instances even concealed beneath the skin. The body in the rodents 
is generally plump and short, and the head is borne upon a short neck. The.limbs 
also are usually short, so that the belly is close to the ground, but in some cases 
all four legs are of moderate length, or the hind legs are enormously developed, 
forming powerful leaping organs. 

SECTION I.— SQUIRREL-LIKE RODENTS. 

THE TRUE SQUIRRELS, which may be regarded as the types of this 
family, are distinguished by their slender and graceful forms, and their long and 
generally bushy tails, the latter character having originated their classical name of 
Schirus, as a compound of two Greek words, indicating their habit of carrying 
their tails thrown up, so as to shade the back. Our common Northern gray 
squirrel may serve as a good example of this division of the family. It is too well 
known as a pet to need any detailed description. Its elegant form and graceful 
movements, the rich grayish color of its upper surface, contrasting with the white 
of the belly, and which, combined with its bright black eye, give it such a lively 
appearance, must be familiar to every one. When full grown the squirrel 
measures Irom ten to twelve inches in length of body, and has a tail nearly as long 
as the body. 

Everywhere it haunts the woods and forests, living chiefly upon the trees, 
among the branches of which it displays the most astonishing agility. On the 
ground — to which, however, it does not often descend — it is equally quick in its 
movements. If alarmed under these circumstances, it dashes off to the nearest 
tree with lightning-like rapidity, and by the aid of its sharp claws rushes up the 
trunk till it reaches what it considers a safe elevation, when the little sharp face 
and bright eyes may be seen peeping at the intruder, apparently in triumph over 
his supposed disappointment. 

The food of the squirrel consists chiefly of nuts, beech-mast, acorns, and the 
young bark, shoots, and buds of trees. In eating the former articles, they are held 
in the forepaws, which thus supply the place of hands, and the strong incisors 
soon make a way through the outer shells into the contained kernels, which alone 
are eaten; for in all cases in which the kernel is coated with a coarse brown skin 
(as in the common hazel nuts), the squirrel carefully removes every particle of this 
from the portions on which he feeds. The bark, buds, and young shoots of trees 
seem generally to be attacked by the squirrel when he finds a deficiency of other 
30 



466 THE RODENTIA. 



and more congenial nourishment ; but this is so regularly the case in the spring of 
the year, that these animals actually cause a great amount of damage to the trees 
in forest regions. Hence, not unnaturally, the squirrel is regarded in forest coun- 
tries as a most mischievous little animal, whose depredations are not to be con- 
doned on account of its elegant appearance and lively habits. As another 
unamiable quality, may be mentioned its habit of plundering birds' nests and 
eating the eggs, which appears to be established upon unquestionable evidence. 
In some Northern regions the inhabitants turn their squirrels to a more profitable 
use than putting them, as we so often do, into a sort of treadmill. In Lapland and 
some parts of Siberia, especially on the banks of the Lena, these animals are killed 
in great numbers for the sake of their gray winter coats. 

The squirrel passes the greater part of the winter in a torpid state, lying 
coiled up in some hole of a tree, where its long bushy tail is of service in keeping 
it warm and comfortable. On fine and warm days, however, it rouses itself from 
its slumbers, and, as if foreseeing the occurrence of such days, it lays up in the 
autumn stores of nuts, acorns and beech-mast, upon which it can feed when it 
wakes during the winter. This winter provision is not laid up all in one place, 
but stored away in several different holes in trees surrounding the place of its own 
retreat. 

Squirrels appear to be strictly monogamous, pairing for life, and constantly 
inhabiting the same dwelling. The young, three or four in number, are produced 
in June, and for their reception the parents prepare a very beautifully constructed 
nest, formed of interlaced moss, leaves, and vegetable fibres, which is placed either 
in the hole of a tree, or in the fork between two branches. The young squirrels 
are very carefully attended by both parents, and the family remains united until 
the following spring, when the young go out to find partners, and settle them- 
selves in the world. 

The common squirrel may serve as an example of the whole genus, which 
includes the ordinary tree squirrels, the species of which are very numerous, 
probably more than one hundred, and distributed over all parts of the world. 
The species are most numerous in the warm oriental regions, in India, and the 
countries and islands lying to the east of it, from which nearly fifty species have 
been recorded. The northern parts of the Old World only possess half a dozen 
species, while North America has about eighteen, many of which are considerably 
larger than the gray squirrel. 

THE RED SQUIRREL or Chickaree is the most common species in the 
Northern and throughout the Eastern States. It is fearless to a great degree 
of the presence of man, and in its quick, graceful motions from branch to branch, 
reminds one of a bird. It is always neat and cleanly in its coat, industrious and 
provident. The Chickaree obtained its name from its noisy chattering note which 
it repeats at frequent intervals. Unlike the gray squirrel, it exhibits the greatest 




467 



468 THE RODENTIA. 



them with leaves till the thick outer covering- falls off or opens, and then carries 
off the nuts more conveniently. But even if these stores of nuts fail, the chickaree 
can live on the cones of the pine and fir tree. In the southern part of New York, 
and in more Southern States, it is satisfied with a hollow tree for its winter resi- 
dence, but in Northern New York, Massachusetts, Canada, and further north, it 
digs deep burrows in the earth. It can swim and dive moderately well. 

THE BLACK SQUIRREL is a native of many parts of North America. 
The whole of its fur, with very slight and variable exceptions, is of a deep black 
color; even the abdomen, which in most animals is lighter than the back, displays 
the same inky hue. The total length of the animal is about two feet ten inches, 
including a tail thirteen inches long. It is vanishing before the inroads of the 
gray squirrel, and seems to be a timid creature, flying in terror from the anger of 
the red squirrel. When undisturbed, it is an active and lively animal, and is 
remarkable for a curious habit of suddenly ceasing its play, and running to some 
water to refresh itself. After drinking, which it does by putting its nose and 
mouth in the water, it carefully washes its face. 

THE CAROLINA CRAY SQUIRREL has, on its back, for three-fourths 
of its length, fur of a dark lead color, succeeded by a slight indication of black 
edges with yellowish brown in some of the hairs, giving it on the surface a dark 
grayish yellow tint. The feet are light gray, three-fourths of the tail is a yel- 
lowish brown, the remainder black, edged with white, the lower surface of the 
body white. It differs in many respects from the Northern gray squirrel. Its 
bark is more shrill, and instead of mounting the tree when alarmed, it plays around 
the trunk. It is less wild than the Northern species, and haunts swampy places, 
or trees overhanging rivers, and is constantly found in the cypress swamps. It is 
abundant in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas, but does not extend northward. 

THETACUAN is a large species, indeed, the largest of the whole family 
Sciuridae. It measures about two feet long, and has a bushy tail of nearly equal 
length. Its ears are pointed, but not tufted, and its eyes are large and prominent. 
Its colo; above is grayish-black, produced by a mixture of entirely black hairs 
with others having the tips grayish-white ; beneath it is grayish-white. About the 
head and on the limbs the fur is tinged with brown or chestnut brown, and the 
lateral folds are sometimes of the latter color, sometimes blackish-brown above 
and gray beneath. The tail is rounded in its form. 

This species inhabits the peninsula of India and Ceylon, Malacca and Siam r 
where it is found only in the forests, living in trees, either singly or in pairs. Its 
activity is chiefly nocturnal, in which respect it differs from the ordinary squirrels. 
During the day it sleeps in the holes of trees, but at night it comes forth, climbing 
and leaping with the greatest rapidity about the trees on which it lives. While 



THE TAGUAN. 



469 




^^ 



THE TAGUAN. 



thus engaged the lateral membranes are loosely folded at the sides of the body ; 
but from time to time the squirrel wishes to pass from one tree to another at some 
distance, and then it ascends to a considerable elevation and springs off, at the 
same time extending all four limbs as much as possible, when the tightly stretched 
folds of skin lend the body a support, which enables it to glide through the 
air to some distance, although it seems always to alight at a lower level than that 
from which it started. During these aerial excursions the long bushy tail serves 
as a sort of rudder, and enables the animal even to change its course during flight. 
Of the habits of the taguan very little is known. It appears to feed upon fruits, 
and is exceedingly shy and fearful. Of a nearly allied species which he observed 
in China, Mr. Swinhoe says that the nest, which was placed high up in a large tree, 
measured about three feet in diameter, and was composed of interlaced twigs, and 
lined with dry grass. It contained only a single young squirrel; but this might 
be exceptional. 



THE FLYING SQUIRREL is the smallest of all the squirrels, measuring 
about nine inches, including the tail. Its fur is delicate and soft, brownish-gray on 



470 



THE RODENTIA. 



the back, lighter on the sides of the neck, yellowish-white on the whole under side. 
The paws are silver-white, the flying membrane is edged with black and white, and. 
the bright eyes are of a black-brown color. 

The flying squirrel is a harmless and very gentle species, becoming tame in a 
few hours. After a few days it will take up its residence in some crevice, or under 
the eaves, and will remain there for years. They are gregarious, and live in con- 
siderable communities. There is nothing resembling flying in their movements; 
they merely descend from a high position by a gliding course, alight on a tree,. 




HE GoPiti K. 



ascend it at once, and again descend with their membrane expanded. Thev do 
not build nests, like the true squirrels, but confine themselves to a hollow in a 
branch. 



THE GROUND SQUIRRELS are distinguished from the rest of the squirrels 
and approach the Marmots. Like some of the latter, they possess large cheek 
pouches opening into the mouth. The ears are short ; the fourth toe of the fore 
feet is longer than the rest; the limbs are short, and nearly equal in length ; and 
the tail is shorter than in the true squirrels. In general form and appearance, 
however, the ground squirrels greatly resemble the latter, except that they are 
rather stouter in the body. Four species of this group inhabit North America 
and are known as chipmunks; one of these is identical with the only known Old 
World species. 



GRO UND SQ UIRRELS—MARMO TS. 



471 







THE ALPINE MARMOT. 



Chipmunks are exceedingly pretty little animals, with light colored fur 
adorned with darker stripes, varied with streaks of white. They are from eight 
to ten inches long, including the tail. These animals live in burrows in the ground, 
and feed upon nuts, acorns, grain, and other seeds of various kinds, of which they 
lay up great stores in the autumn, carrying home their provisions in their cheek 
pouches, which they stuff as full as they can hold. In this way they do no small 
damage to cultivated grounds near their haunts, plundering the corn fields very 
freely; over eight pounds of corn in the ear are often found in the granaries of 
the Siberian form. The burrow is made deep enough to protect the animals 
from frost in winter, and the sleeping chamber contains a large nest of leaves 
and grass, in which several individuals, probably the parents with their grown-up 
family, sleep through the cold weather; but it must be remarked that their 
torpidity is very imperfect, and they have frequent recourse to the supplies of food 
which they have stored up during the summer and autumn in separate chambers 
at the ends of lateral passages. These stores are so large that they generally 
greatly exceed the wants of the provident little animals. From the ground 
squirrels we pass, by a perfectly natural transition, to 



THE MARMOTS. These animals differ from the preceding forms by their 
broader incisors, shorter tail, and stouter form of body, and by having the third 
finger longer than the rest. The marmots are all terrestrial animals, living and 
storing provisions in burrows, which they dig in the ground, and they are strictly 
confined to the northern part of the two hemispheres. 

The nearest approach to the squirrels is made by the Spermophiles, several 
species of which occur in North America from Mexico to the Arctic regions, but 
never to the east of the great central prairie region. The spermophiles are squirrel- 
like in form and have rather short tails. The mouth is furnished with large cheek 
pouches, and the ears are verv small. These animals live in society, and prefer a 
dry, sandy, or loamy soil, in which they can easily make their burrows, which 



472 



THE RODENTIA. 



terminate in a chamber lined with grass and herbage, and have, besides, side 
chambers, in which provisions can be stored for winter use. Like the other 
species of the family, the spermophiles pass the winter in a state of partial 
torpidity. In the summer they are exceedingly lively and playful. Their food 
consists of roots, berries, and seeds of various kinds, and their winter stores of 
these articles are carried into the burrows in their large cheek pouches. The 
commonest and most widely distributed of the North American species is the 
Gopher, a pretty little creature of from six to eight inches long, usually of a 
chestnut brown color with seven yellowish-white lines running along the back, and 
between these six rows of small squarish spots of the same color. This species 




extends its range from the Red River in Canada southward as far as Texas, and is 
common on the prairies east of the Mississippi. This and some other species of the 
genus are said to be very carnivorous in their habits, preying upon small birds and 
mammals ; and the gopher is even described as feeding upon the flesh of bisons, 
which it finds lying dead on the prairies. 

THE PRAIRIE DOCS are of a stouter form than the gophers, and have the 
ears and tail short. The claws are well developed on all the toes of the fore feet, 
and the cheek pouches are shallow. These animals are peculiar to North America, 
where they inhabit the prairies east of the Rocky Mountains. The best known of 
the two species is the prairie dog, this name being given to it from a fancied 




PRAIRIE DOG TOWN, SHOWING INTERIOR OF BURROW. 



473 



474 THE RODENTIA. 



resemblance of its voice to the barking of a small dog-. It measures about a foot 
in length, and its tail is about four inches long. Its color on the upper surface is 
reddish-brown, variegated with gray, and with a few scattered black hairs; the 
tail is flattened, and brownish-black toward the end, and the lower surface is 
brownish or yellowish-white. These animals live together in great societies, 
especiallv upon those portions of the prairies where the buffalo grass grows most 
luxuriantly, this grass and succulent roots constituting their chief food. They live 
in burrows, which they dig in the ground at a distance of twelve or fifteen feet 
apart; a hard beaten path runs from burrow to burrow, and would seem to give 
evidence of the sociable disposition of the animals ; and at the mouth of every 
burrow there is a little hillock, formed by the earth thrown out of it, which serves 
the occupant as a watch tower. These burrows are usually so numerous upon 
favorable pieces of ground that the space occupied by them is quite populous, and 
presents a scene of considerable animation when the inhabitants are out in the pur- 
suit of their business or their pleasure, and hence they are in common parlance 
spoken of as "towns" or " villages." Their curious appearance is heightened by 
the almost constant presence in them of numerous small owls, of the species known 
as the burrowing owl, a widely spread species which in some places digs its own 
subterranean habitation, but on these prairies saves itself the trouble by taking pos- 
session of the deserted abodes of the prairie dogs. These birds are diurnal in 
their habits, and are to be seen mixed up with the prairie dogs in their settlements. 
Another inhabitant of the burrows is the rattlesnake ; and some of the earlier 
observers thought that the prairie dogs, owls, rattlesnakes, and some other animals, 
such as horned frogs, and an occasional tortoise, occupied the same burrow, and 
lived there on the most amicable footing. Unfortunately, this paradisaic picture 
is an imaginary one. It is true that the rattlesnake does take up his abode in the 
prairie dog's burrows, but he either selects a deserted one, or dispossesses, and 
perhaps devours, the rightful owner; and his object in his residence among the 
lively little marmots is anything rather than peaceful, as they constitute his favorite 
food. The little burrowing owl has also been said by some writers to feed on the 
young prairie dogs ; but this is not proved, and the food of the owls is known to 
consist chiefly of grasshoppers and crayfish. According to the latitude in which 
they live, the prairie dogs seem to be more or less subject to torpidity during the 
winter. 

The true marmots are nearly related to the prairie dogs. They are stout in 
the body, have a short tail, and a rudimentary thumb with a flat nail; and are 
either entirely destitute of cheek pouches or have mere indications of these organs. 
The marmots are confined to the Northern hemisphere, but over it they are widely 
distributed in both continents. Of the Old World species, the best known are the 
Bobac and the Alpine marmot. In North America the common species is the 
woodchuck, the distribution of which is from the Carolinas northward to Hudson's 
Bay, and westward from the Atlantic coast to Missouri, Iowa, and Minnesota; the 



THE FULGENT ANOMALURE. 



475 



Rocky Mountain region is inhabited by a distinct species ; and a third very large 
species, the Hoary Marmot, or Whistler, which measures from twenty -three to 
twenty-five inches in length of body, appears to be most abundant in the north- 
western parts of the continent. The marmots live usually in large societies in. 
extensive burrows, which they form underground ; and in some localities, as on 
the great plains of Russia and Siberia, their dwelling places are described as pro- 
ducing a remarkable effect, owing to the multitude of little hillocks formed by the 
earth thrown out of their burrows. During the summer they are in a state of 
constant activity, playing and running about in search o( food in the neighborhood 



jmS) 




THE FULGENT ANOMALURE. 

of their dwellings. The winter they pass in a state of torpidity, in a comfortable 
chamber lined with soft herbage, and protected from the outside cold by the 
closure of the main passage leading into their abode. For a time after their 
retirement for the winter they continue active in their domicil, and feed upon the 
stores of food which they have laid up during the summer; and as a preparation 
for their winter sleep, they become exceedingly fat during the autumn. The 
marmots are the largest members of their family, and indeed, some of them may 
be reckoned among the larger rodents. The Alpine marmot measures more than 
twenty inches in length, and the bobac about fifteen inches, exclusive of the tail. 



THE FULGENT ANOMALURE closely resembles the flying squirrels, and 
were at first regarded as belonging to that group. The tail, which is long and 



476 THE RODENTIA. 



well clothed with hair, although not so bushy as in the true squirrels, has on the 
lower surface of its basal portion a double series of horny scales, which project 
from the skin, and probably serve to assist the animal in climbing upon the 
branches of trees. The flying membrane is quite as largely developed as in the 
flying squirrels, and is in the same manner extended from the wrists to the heels, 
and further supported by cartilaginous spurs starting irom the fore limbs; but, 
whilst in the flying squirrels this spur springs from the wrist itself, in the Anoma- 
lures it projects from the elbow, and thus produces a still greater extension of the 
membrane. The ears are well developed, the eyes large, and the general aspect 
both of head and body completely squirrel-like. Five species of this family have 
been described, all from the west coast of Africa. One of them occurs in the 
island of Fernando Po. The species figured is from the Gaboon. It is a hand- 
some little creature, of a bright reddish color, paler below, and having a small 
white spot between the ears. Its length is fourteen inches, and its tail is seven 
inches long. In some of the other species the tail is as long as the body. Of the 
habits of these animals little is positively known, but they are said to feed upon 
fruits. They probably resemble the flying squirrels in their general mode of 
life. 

THE BEAVER, which is the sole living representative of this family, is a 
more powerful animal than any of the preceding, and his incisor teeth and the 
means of working them are especially well developed. Unlike as the beaver may 
be to a squirrel, it yet presents many characters which prove that its nearest 
affinity is to that animal. 

The general form is stout and heavy, especially in the hinder parts; the tail is 
of moderate length, broad, flattened, and covered with a scaly skin ; the feet are all 
five-toed, the fore pair considerably smaller than the hinder, but all well furnished 
with claws, and the hinder pair fully webbed to the extremities of the toes. The 
eyes are small, have the pupil vertical, and are furnished with a nictitating mem- 
brane; the ears are small and short, and their antitragus can be so applied to the 
head as almost entirely to close the auditory aperture ; and the nostrils are also 
so arranged as to be capable of closing. 

The beaver is usually about two feet and a half long, and is, therefore, one 
of the largest of the Rodentia. The tail, which is flattened above and below, and 
of an elongated oval form, measures about ten inches. The muffle is naked ; the 
ears scaly; the soles of all the feet are naked, and their upper surfaces clothed 
with hairs ; and the second toe of the hind feet is usually furnished with a double 
claw, the additional one being placed beneath the other. The general color of 
the fur is reddish brown on the upper surface, lighter and grayish below. The 
color varies a little in different individuals, and appears to become darker, or even 
blackish in northern localities. White or pied individuals are not uncommon. 
The beaver appears to increase in size for some years after it has attained 



THE BEA VER. 



477 



maturity. Mr. Allen says that " two-year-old beavers generally weigh about 
thirty-five to forty pounds, while very old ones occasionally attain a weight of 
upward of sixty." The size of the skull seems to increase throughout life; the 
thickness and density of the bones also increase, and the ridges for the attachment. 
of the muscles become stronger in old individuals. 



<& 






y^ 






'SJO^i 




THE EEAVER. 

The beaver is, or has been, distributed generally over al! the northern parts 
of the Northern hemisphere, especially in the forest regions. Formerly it ranged 
over the whole of Europe. The constant pursuit to which the animals are sub- 
jected, in consequence of the demand for their skins, has greatly diminished their 
numbers, and in many localities altogether exterminated them ; but they still 
occur over a very large extent of the North American continent, especially in the 
Western territories, where they are even abundant in some of the wilder parts. 



478 THE RODENTIA. 



So much has been written upon the habits of the beaver, that the following 
jshort statement will suffice to give the leading facts in the natural history of the 
■animal, the accounts of the marvelous sagacity of which, given by the older 
writers, have perhaps, invested it with an exaggerated interest. 

In populous countries the beaver is contented, like the otter, with a long 
burrow for his residence ; but in the wilder regions of Siberia and North America 
his dwelling place is a much more complicated affair. But even in these regions, 
according to some authorities, a certain number of beavers — always males — show 
a lazy unwillingness to take part in the common labors of the colony ; and these, 
as idlers, are expelled from the community, often with rather severe treatment, 
.and then take up their abode by themselves in holes, which they dig out in the 
banks of the river, whence they are called "terriers." On the other hand, it 
would appear that the building instinct which is so remarkably manifested by the 
beaver is not always extinct even in those which inhabit populous countries. A 
most interesting account is given by M. Meyerinck of the construction of a lodge, 
and even of a dam, bythe colony of beavers on a tributary of the Elbe. 

In North America these animals select for their habitation some small stream 
running through a locality well covered with trees, especially willows, birches, 
and poplars, upon the bark of which they chiefly feed. These trees they cut 
down with their powerful incisor teeth, usually selecting those from the thickness 
of a man's arm to that of his thigh, but sometimes even felling trunks eighteen 
inches in diameter. The operation, which at first sight would seem to be rather a 
difficult one for an animal like the beaver to perform, is effected by gnawing all 
round the trunk for a certain distance, and gradually working deeper and deeper 
into its substance in the middle of the part attacked, until at length the tree stands 
upon quite a slender piece of wood with the trunk both above and below this 
tapered off into the form of two cones, united by their apices. The work is done 
as sharply and neatly as i( the wood had been cut away by a chisel ; and the 
animals are said to have the sagacity to weaken the trunk more on the side that 
looks toward the water than on the opposite side, by which means, when it falls, 
it will generally do so in the direction of the water, which materially facilitates the 
further operations of the beavers. The quantity of trees cut down by them in this 
way is very great, so that in the neighborhood of a beaver encampment the 
ground is everywhere full of the stumps which they have left. 

These tree trunks are then cut up into lengths of five or six feet, which, after 
-their bark has been stripped off and eaten, are employed in the formation of a 
lodge, to serve as a shelter for the company of beavers forming it. Access to the 
lodge is obtained by means of several subterranean passages, which always open 
up under water, and lead up into the chamber occupying the interior of the lodge. 
The lodge is usually of an oven-like shape, and is built close to the edge of the 
water. Its walls are very thick, and composed of the above mentioned trunks of 
irees, plastered .pyej .with .mud, clay, etc., mixed with grasses and moss, until the 



THE BEA VER. 479 



whole fabric measures from twelve to twenty feet in diameter, and forms a hill 
some six or eight feet high. The larger lodges are in the interior about seven feet 
in diameter, and between two and three feet high, and the floor of this spacious 
chamber is covered with fine chips of wood, grasses, and the soft barks of trees, 
which serve to form the beds of the occupants. Occasionally the lodges are said 
to contain storerooms. In front of the lodge, according to Audubon, the beavers 
scratch away the mud of the bottom until the)' make the water deep enough to 
enable them to float their pieces of timber to this point, even when the water is 
frozen; and, communicating with this, a ditch surrounds the lodge, which is also 
made so deep that it will not readily freeze to the bottom. Into this ditch, 
and the deep water in front of the lodge, the passages by which access to the 
water is obtained always open, and thus the inhabitants can at any time make their 
way out when their business requires them to do so. In the neighborhood of the 
lodge the timber cut into lengths, as above described, is piled up, so as to furnish 
a supply of food as it is required ; and the pieces of timber, after being stripped 
of their bark, are usually employed by the beavers either in repairing their lodges 
or in constructing or strengthening the dams which they very frequently throw 
across the streams haunted by them. These dams, which are destined to keep the 
water of variable streams up to the necessary height for the convenience of the 
beaver, are wonderful pieces of work, and almost justify the marvelous stories 
told of its intelligence and sagacity bv the older writers. They are often of great 
length — sometimes 150 or 200 yards and more — and run across the course of the 
brook inhabited by the beavers, sometimes in a straight line, sometimes in a 
curved form, according to the peculiarities in the ground or the stream, and the 
exigencies of the engineers. They are composed, like the lodges, of lengths cut 
from the trunks and branches of trees, filled in with smaller sticks, roots, grasses, 
and moss, and all plastered with mud and clay in a most workmanlike manner, 
until the whole structure becomes quite water-tight. Their height is from six to 
ten feet, and their thickness at the bottom sometimes as much as double this, but 
diminishing upward by the slope of the sides until the top is only from three to 
five feet wide. These dams convert even small rivulets into large pools of water, 
often many acres in extent, and in districts where beavers abound these pools may 
occupy nearly the whole course of a stream, one above the other, almost to its 
source. Their use to the beavers, as constantly furnishing them with a sufficiency 
of water in which to carry on their business, and especially to float to their lodges 
the tree trunks necessary for their subsistence, is easily understood; but it is a 
more remarkable circumstance that by these means the beavers exercise a consid- 
erable influence upon the external appearance of the locality inhabited by them, 
which may persist even long after they themselves have disappeared. In and 
about the pools the constant attacks of the beavers upon the trees produce clear- 
ings in the forest, often many acres in extent. At the margins of the pools the 
iormation of peat commences, and under favorable circumstances proceeds until 



480 THE RODENTIA. 



the greater part of the cleared space becomes converted into a peat moss. These 
peaty clearings are known as beaver meadows, and they have been detected in 
various countries where the beaver is now extinct. 

As in the case of the majority of rodents, the chief activity of the beaver is 
nocturnal, and it is only when driven from its lodge by a high flood, or in the 
wildest and most sequestered localities, that it goes about during the day. It 
swims quickly, but entirely by the agency of the hind feet, the fore feet being used 
chiefly for carrying and building operations, and for conveying the food to the 
mouth. Before diving, it is said to slap the surface of the water with its tail, pro- 
ducing a sound that may be heard at a considerable distance. On land it some- 
times travels a good way in the warm season, and is then stated to indulge in a 
change of diet, feeding upon roots and fruits, and sometimes upon corn. The 
roots of the water lily are also said to constitute part of its food. The beaver is 
hunted — but less now than in former years — for the sake of its skin, the soft under 
fur of which was much used in the manufacture of hats. It is asserted that the 
flesh is very good, but according to some authorities, only certain parts of it are 
palatable; and Audubon declares that the tail, which is regarded as a peculiarly 
choice morsel, closely resembles marrow, and is so rich that only those whose 
stomachs are incapable of being upset by greasy food can eat more than a very 
little of it. 

SECTION II.— MOUSE LIKE RODENTS. 

THE DORMICE have generally been regarded as nearly related to the 
squirrels. In form they are squirrel-like, and the tail is long and hairy, although 
not so bushy as in the true squirrels. They are confined to the Eastern hemis- 
phere, and chiefly to its temperate and colder regions, although some forms inhabit 
Africa. The number of known species is only about a dozen. 

THE COMMON DORMOUSE is an elegant little creature about three 
inches long, with a somewhat bushy, cylindrical tail, two inches and a half in 
length. Its fur is of a light reddish, tawny color above, becoming paler and yel- 
lowish on the lower surface. On the throat there is a small whitish mark. 

The dormouse is nocturnal in its habits. During the day it sleeps in its nest 
or in some snug retreat, and at night comes forth in search of its food, which con- 
sists of nuts, acorns, seeds, berries, and the buds of trees and shrubs. It is partic- 
ularly fond of the nuts of the common hazel, hence its specific name, and the name 
of " Haselmaus," which it bears in Germany. These nuts it is said to pierce and 
empty without plucking them or taking them out of their cups. The dormouse 
lives in small societies in thickets or hedgerows, where it is as active in its way 
amongst the bushes and undergrowth as its cousin the squirrel upon the larger 
trees. Among the small twigs and branches of the shrubs and small trees the 
dormice climb with wonderful adroitness, often, indeed, hanging by their hind feet 




WOOD MICE. 



481 



THE RODENTIA. 



from a twig in order to reach and operate on a fruit or nut which is otherwise 
inaccessible, and running along the lower surface of a branch with the activity and 
certainty of a monkey. Detached articles of food are held up to the mouth by the 
fore paws, after the fashion of a squirrel. Toward the winter the dormouse 
becomes exceedingly fat, and having selected a small store of food, makes for itself 
a little globular nest, composed of small twigs, leaves, pine needles, moss, and 
grass, and within this, coiled up into a ball, passes into a torpid state. 

Nevertheless, the winter sleep is not wholly interrupted. On mild days the 
dormouse wakes up for a time and takes a little of its stored up food. 

THE LOPHIOMUS- In its external characters this animal is as remarkable 
as in its anatomical structure. In general appearance, as stated by its describer, it 
has much resemblance to a small opossum, but the bushy tail and the peculiar 
arrangement of the hair on the body are met with in no marsupials. The head is 
small; the general form stout; the limbs short, and the hind ones not much 
longer than their fellows, and the ears are of moderate size and sparingly clothed 
with hair. The prevailing color is blackish brown, but a triangular spot on the 
forehead, a streak under each eye, and the tip of the tail, are white ; and the long 
hairs which clothe the body and tail are dark only in the middle, the base and tip 
being white, as are also a great quantity of the finer and shorter hairs which form 
a sort of under fur. But the chief peculiarity of the coat is to be found in the 
arrangement of the hairs of the body. The long hairs of the middle of the back 
and tail, some of which are nearly three inches in length, are capable of being 
raised into a nearly upright position, forming a sort of crest which gives the 
animal a very peculiar aspect, and this crest is separated from the pendulous hair 
of the flanks by a sort of furrow clothed with very peculiar hair of a grayish 
tawny color. These hairs are unlike any others known to occur among mammals. 
Very little is known as to the habitat of this animal. 

We come now to the largest and most typical family of the Rodents ; that, 
namely, which includes the rats and mice and their numerous allies. Mr. Wallace 
estimates the number of known species at 330, which is probably within the mark. 

As might be expected in so large an assemblage of species, the variety of 
forms is very great among the Muridce, but broadly, the common rats and mice, 
which are onlv too well known to most of us, may serve as characteristic types of 
the whole series. The family, however, includes jumping forms, swimming forms, 
arboreal forms, and burrowing forms, in which the peculiarities of the life habits 
are very distinctly indicated by the external appearance of the creatures. In their 
distribution the Muridas are almost absolutely cosmopolitan, the family being rep- 
resented in every part of the world, with the sole exception of the islands of the 
Pacific Ocean. Certain species also, such as the common brown rat and mouse, 
are now perfectly cosmopolitan in their distribution, having accompanied man in 
all his migrations on the surface of the globe. 



THE RAT AND MOUSE. 



4S3 




THE BROWN RAT, 



THE RAT AND MOUSE form the types of a great sub-family, Murinas. 
They possess no cheek pouches, have the fore and hind limbs approximately equal 
in length, the thumb rudimentary, and the tail nearly naked, covered with scaly 
rings. The genus Mus, to which our household pests belong, includes upward of 
one hundred species, scattered over most parts of the Eastern hemisphere, and 
living sometimes chiefly in the neighborhood of human habitations, granaries, etc., 
where they often feed indifferently upon animal and vegetable substances, some- 
times in the open country, and feeding almost exclusively upon the latter. Our 
common brown rat, sometimes called the Norway rat, which is almost too well 
known to need description, is not a native of this country, but has certainly been 
introduced here by commerce. Haunting ships in great numbers, it has now been 
introduced into all parts of the world, and it is quite impossible to ascertain its 
original habitat. It was known in Asia long before it made its appearance in 
Europe; and its passage into Europe is fixed by Pallas in the year 1727, when, he 
says, after an earthquake it swam across the Volga from the countries bordering 
the Caspian. Its first appearance in France and England is said to have occurred 
about the middle of the last century, 

From its great fecundity and determined ferocity of disposition, the brown 
rat has become a great pest wherever it has taken up its abode. " It digs," says 



484 THE RODENTIA. 



Professor Bell, " with great facility and vigor, making its way with rapidity 
beneath the floors of our houses, between the stones and bricks of walls, and often 
excavating the foundations of dwellings to a dangerous extent. There are many 
instances of their fatally undermining the most solid mason work, or burrowing 
through dams which had for ages served to confine the waters of rivers and 
canals." It is almost impossible to keep them out of our houses, and, once in, 
there is no end to the mischief they do. Their ferocity is very great ; and although 
they will, if possible, retreat from a powerful enemy, they will fight in the most 
savage fashion when they cannot escape. 

Although not averse to a vegetable diet — as those who have to do with corn 
and seeds, whether in the field or the storehouse, know to their cost — the brown 
rat evinces a decided preference for animal food, which he consumes, of all kinds 
and in all states. The case of the horse slaughter-houses of Montfaucon, near 
Paris, is well known; here, the carcasses of all the horses killed during the day, 
sometimes to the number of thirty-five, would be picked to the bone by the next 
morning ; and one main argument against the removal of the establishment to a 
greater distance from the city was that these swarms of ferocious vermin would 
be left without means of support, and would become a complete pest in the neigh- 
borhood. That such an apprehension was not unfounded is proved by several 
instances recorded of the escape of rats from wrecked ships upon small islands. 
In the course of a few years they exterminated every other living thing. Pro- 
fessor Bell relates the following instance of the extreme ferocity of the rat when 
driven by hunger: "In a coal pit, in which many horses were employed, the 
rats, which fed upon the fodder provided for the horses, had accumulated in great 
multitudes. It was customary in holiday times to bring to the surface the horses 
and the fodder, and to close the pit for the time. On one occasion, when the 
holiday had extended to ten days or a fortnight, during which the rats had been 
deprived of food, on re-opening the pit, the first man who descended was attacked 
by the starving multitude, and speedily killed and devoured." Stories are also 
told, with what truth we do not know, of the occurrence of similar catastrophes 
in the sewers of Paris and London, where, as is well known, rats abound. The 
brown rat breeds several times during the year, and produces as many as ten,, 
twelve or fourteen young ones in a litter. Its general length is about nine 
inches. 

Although the true mice are very nearly allied to the rats, of which they are 
copies on a small scale, they do not excite by any means the same sentiments of 
disgust with which rats are generally regarded; ladies, indeed, will sometimes 
scream at the mere sight of a mouse, but most of them will admit that, apart from 
its predatory habits, it is an elegant little creature. The common mouse seems to 
be as completely associated with man as the rat, and has accompanied him in his 
wanderings to all parts of the world. Of its general appearance and habits we 
need say nothing ; they are too familiar to need description. But besides haunting 



THE HARVEST MOUSE. 485 



our houses, the mouse takes up its abode in the rick-yard, and here its devasta- 
tions are often very serious. The mice live in the ricks, through which they make 
passage in every direction, and their fecundity is so great that several bushels of 




THE HARVEST MOUSE. 



mice are often destroyed during the removal of a single rick. The mouse breeds 
all the year round, and usually produces five or six young at a birth, so that its 
rapid increase under favorable circumstances is easily understood. Several 



486 THE RODENTIA. 



varieties of the species are well known, especially the Albino form, or white 
mouse, which is such a favorite pet with boys. The common mouse in this country 
is sometimes patched with white ; and we sometimes see in the shops pied mice, 
which are said to be of Indian origin. A pale buff variety is also sometimes met 
with ; and during the removal of a rick some years ago, it was found to be 
infested by a breed of mice with a naked, wrinkled skin, to which the name of 
rhinoceros mice was given at the time. 

THE HARVEST MOUSE is found in nearly all parts of the Old World. 
The total length of this pretty little mouse is about five inches, of which nearly 
one-half is made up by the tail. In it the eyes are less prominent than in the 
common field mouse, and the ears considerably shorter in proportion. Its color 
on the upper surface is bright reddish brown, and below pure white, the two 
colors being sharply separated. During the summer, the harvest mouse associates 
with the other field mice, and with them is very frequently carried in the sheaves 
to barns, where it then takes up its abode for the autumn and winter, and, like 
other mice, multiplies very rapidly, and no doubt does a good deal of mischief. 
The less fortunate individuals who are left behind in the fields retreat to little 
burrows for protection from the inclemency of the winter, which they pass in a 
state of at least partial torpidity ; and to provide against exigencies they lay up 
in their dwellings a small store of food, to which they can have recourse when a 
fine day recalls them for a time to activity. Those which have been introduced 
into ricks and barns are, of course, liberally provided for, and they show their grat- 
itude by remaining awake all the winter, as if on purpose to consume their 
abundant povender. In the open field their food consists of corn and the seeds of 
grasses and other plants, but also to a considerable extent, of small insects. 

In its movements the harvest mouse is wonderfully agile. On the ground it 
runs very rapidly ; and it climbs upon shrubs and plants as cleverly as a monkey, 
running out upon the thinnest twigs with the greatest confidence, and climbing up 
stalks of grass so thin that they bend nearly to the ground with its weight. In 
these operations the long slender tail comes into use, as .its extremity is prehensile 
and can be twisted neatly round the small stalks and branches over which the 
little climber is making its way. From its lively habits, and the elegance of its 
form, the harvest mouse is a very interesting pet. 

The harvest mouse breeds several times during the year, producing from five 
to eight or nine young at a birth, and provides for them one of the prettiest 
cradles formed by any mammal. It is placed, according to the locality, upon 
several grass leaves split and interwoven with the other materials, or suspended 
at a height of from eighteen inches to three feet above the ground, upon the twigs 
of some shrub or between several stalks of corn or strong grasses. It is egg- 
shaped, or nearly round, about the size of the egg of a goose, and is composed 
externally of slit leaves of the reeds or grasses among which it is formed, each 



THE HARVEST MOUSE. 487 



leaf being carefully divided longitudinally by the sharp teeth of the little archi- 
tect into six or eight thread-like portions, which are then all woven together, so 
as to produce a firm structure. The interior is lined, or rather stuffed, with all 
sorts of soft vegetable substances, so that it has been a question with many 
observers how the mother could get at all the members of her family to suckle 
them, and how the nest could contain them all as they began to increase in bulk. 
The young usually remain in the nest until they can see ; but as soon as they are 
able to provide for themselves, the mother takes them out, gives them some prac- 
tical instructions in the art of living, and then leaves them to their own devices. 
According to Brehm, as these mice increase in age they improve in the art of 
nest building. 

Besides these few species, a multitude of rats and mice, belonging to the same 
genus, occur as natives of nearly all parts of the world, but in their habits they 
agree in general. India harbors a considerable number, among which we may 
mention the Bandicoot rat, a large species which inhabits the Indian and Malayan 
peninsulas, and is very destructive in plantations; and the Tree rat, a native of 
Bengal, seven or eight inches in length, which lives partly on grain, of which it 
lays up stores in its nests, and partly on young cocoanuts, which constitute its 
favorite food, and in search of which it climbs the trees. This species builds a 
nest on cocoanut trees and bamboos, and occasionally makes predatory visits to 
the houses. The Striped mouse is remarkable for its coloration, its ground color 
being a bright yellowish brown or reddish yellow, adorned with several longitud- 
inal blackish brown streaks. This elegant mouse inhabits North Africa, especially 
in stony places. It is very abundant in Algeria. 

The White-footed, or Deer mouse is distributed all over the continent of North 
America. The fur shows various brownish or grayish tints above ; and the lower 
surface, with the feet up to the wrist and ankle, is snow white. What Dr. Coues 
gives as the normal color of typical specimens is a rich fawn, with a darker 
streak along the back: but he says that this is shown by not more than one 
example in six. The tail is generally white beneath. The length of the head and 
body is about three inches ; the tail varies considerably in length. The white- 
footed mouse is nocturnal in its habits, and feeds to a great extent upon corn, of 
which, with acorns and other nuts, it lays up stores for winter use. It lives a good 
deal upon trees, taking up its abode in the deserted nest of a squirrel or of some 
small bird. When it constructs its own nest the little fabric is placed in a bush at 
from five to fifteen feet from the ground, and is very neatly constructed, usually 
of fine moss and strips of bark. In some localities it burrows in the ground. 
The Golden or Red mouse, which resembles the preceding species in form and 
size, has the fur of the upper surface golden-cinnamon color, and the lower parts 
yellowish white. It inhabits the Central and Southern States. The Rice-field 
mouse is a larger species, sometimes attaining the size of a small rat. This is 
found in the Southern States, chiefly along the coast, and in rice-fields, where it is 



THE RODENTIA. 



exceedingly abundant, and does considerable damage. It is eminently aquatic in 
its habits. The American Harvest mouse closely resembles the preceding spe- 
cies. The American harvest mouse inhabits the Southern States, and extends 
northward as far as Iowa and Nebraska. 

The Florida rat, or Wood rat, is a widely distributed species in the United 
States, inhabiting especially the southern portion, but extending northward as 
far as New York and Massachusetts. It measures from six to nine inches in 
length, with a tail from four to six inches long. In its coloration it presents a 
general resemblance to the common brown rat, but is brighter, especially on the 
sides; the lower surface is white. According to Audubon and Bachmann, the 
habits of this species vary considerably in different localities. These authors say 
that "in Florida they burrow under stones and the ruins of dilapidated buildings. 
In Georgia and South Carolina they prefer remaining in the woods. In some 
swampy situations, in the vicinity of sluggish streams, amid tangled vines inter- 
spersed with leaves and long moss, they gather a heap of dry sticks, which they 
pile up into a conical shape, and which, with grasses, mud, and dead leaves, mixed 
in by the wind and rain, form, as they proceed, a structure impervious to rain, 
and inaccessible to the wild cat, raccoon or fox. At other times their nest, com- 
posed of somewhat lighter materials, is placed in the fork of a tree.'' This spe- 
cies is verv active and squirrel-like in its habits. It feeds on grain, seeds, and 
fruits, and sometimes makes a meal of a crayfish or a frog. There are from three 
to six young in each litter, and two litters in the year. The young animals in very 
early days continue to adhere to the teats of their mother, even when she is 
walking about outside the nest, and even at a later period they will cling to her 
sides and back, after the manner of some opossums. The female seems but little 
inconvenienced by this burden, and shows great affection for her family, defending 
them even at the risk of her own life. 

THE HAMSTERS are very nearly related to the true mice and rats, but 
differ from them at the first glance by their possession of large internal cheek 
pouches, those organs being entirely wanting or very small in the Murinas. The 
hamsters are confined to the Old World, and chiefly inhabit the temperate parts of 
Europe and Asia; two or three species occur in Africa. They live generally 
in corn fields, where they dig deep burrows with numerous chambers, into which 
they can retreat to take their repose, and in which they pass the winter, pre- 
viously, however, taking care to lay up a good store of provisions in some of the 
chambers of their domicil. 

The best known species is a rather pretty little beast, ot about ten inches long, 
with bright, prominent, black eyes, short, membranous ears, and a tapering hairy 
tail, about two inches and a half in length. The fur, which is thick and somewhat 
lustrous, is usually of a light yellowish brown color above, with the snout, the 
neighborhood of the eyes, and a band on the neck reddish brown, and a yellow 



HAMSTERS— VOLES. 



489 




THE MUSKRAT. 



spot on each cheek; the lower surface, the greater part of the legs, and a band on 
the forehead are black, and the feet white. Many varieties occur. This hamster 
is widely distributed, ranging from the Rhine, through Europe and Siberia, to 
the Obi; and in most localities where it occurs it appears in great numbers, and 
causes great injury to the crops. Its burrows are exceedingly spacious, and 
consist of numerous passages and chambers. In its temper it is exceedingly iras- 
cible, and at the same time very courageous, defending itself bravely against its 
enemies, and standing boldly on the defensive the moment any danger appears to 
threaten it. Its diet is by no means of a purely vegetable nature, but it will 
destroy and devour all sorts of small animals that come in its way. Besides the 
corn, which forms its chief winter provender, green herbage, peas and beans, and 
roots and fruits of various kinds, are welcome articles of diet, and in confinement 
it will eat almost anything. 

The hamsters pass the winter in their burrows in a torpid state, but waken up 
very early in the spring, generally in March, but frequently in February. At 
first they do not open the mouths of their burrows, but remain for a time sub- 



490 THE RODENTIA. 



sisting on the stores laid up during the preceding autumn. The old males make 
their appearance first, the females about a fortnight after them, the latter about 
the beginning of April. They then set about making their summer burrows, 
which are not so deep or so complicated as the winter dwelling; and shortly after- 
ward the sexes pair. The young are produced twice in the year, in May and July; 
their number varies from six to eighteen. They have teeth when first born, and 
their development as babies is very rapid. Their eyes open in little more than a 
week after birth, and in another week they begin to burrow in the ground, and 
then their hard-hearted parent drives them off to take care of themselves. 

THE VOLES, which, next to the true rats and mice, form the most import- 
ant group of Muridas, are represented in the northern parts of both hemispheres. 
These are mouse and rat-like rodents of a rather stout build, with the limbs and 
tail of moderate length, or short, and the latter more hairy than in the true 
Murinas. The ears are short, often nearly concealed beneath the fur. 

The true voles number about fifty known species. The most abundant North 
American species is the Meadow mouse, which is distributed, apparently, over the 
greater part of the continent, and takes the place of the English field vole. 

Another American species is the Musk rat, which constitutes a genus dis- 
tinguished from the true voles by having the tail compressed and nearly naked, 
the hinder toes united by short webs, and fringed with long hairs, and the enamel 
folds of the molars united by a line running down the middle of the tooth. The 
form of the animal is thickest, and in this respect, as in its aquatic habits, it resem- 
bles the beaver, to which it was formerly supposed to be nearly allied. The head 
is short and broad, the ears project very little beyond the fur, the hind limbs are 
longer than the fore legs, and terminate in five toes with strong claws, while the 
fore limbs have only four toes and a wart-like thumb ; the fur is very thick and 
shiny, and the color is usually brown above and gray below, with the tail, which 
is nearly as long as the body, black. The fur is well known in commerce. The 
length of the head and body of a full-grown male is about twelve inches. The 
name muskrat, often given to this species, refers to the musky odor diffused by 
the secretion of a large gland situated in the inguinal region. 

The Musquash, which may be described as a large water rat, inhabits all the 
suitable parts of North America, from the thirteenth to the sixty -ninth degree of 
north latitude, and is most abundant in the Canadian region, which offers it 
peculiarly favorable conditions of life in the multitude of rivers and lakes, upon 
the banks of which the musquash always takes up its abode. It is a nocturnal 
animal, passing the day in concealment, and coming forth with the twilight to 
seek its nourishment, and amuse itself with its fellows. In the water it displays 
wonderful activity, and, in many respects, presents much resemblance to the 
beaver. Curiously enough, the parallelism of habits holds good to a certain 
extent, even in the construction of their dwellings. The Musquash generally 



THE VOLES— THE LEMMING. 491 

lives in a burrow dug out of the bank of the stream in which he disports himself, 
and consisting of a chamber with numerous passages, all of which open under 
the surface of the water. But, under certain conditions, especially in the north, 
he builds himself a house of a rounded or dome-like form, composed of sedges, 
grasses, and similar materials, plastered together with mud, and supported upon a 
mound of mud of sufficient height to raise it above the water. The house con- 
tains a single chamber from sixteen inches to two feet in diameter, and is entered 
by a passage which opens at the bottom of the water. Other passages are said to 
issue from this, and to lead down into the ground under the bottom of the water; 
these are made by the animal in his search for the roots of water-lilies and other 
aquatic plants, which constitute a great part of his nourishment. The musquash 
also seeks provisions on land, and in this way often does much mischief in gar- 
dens. Fresh-water mussels also form a part of its diet. It passes the winter in its 
house, which it then furnishes with a soft bed of leaves, grasses and sedges, and, 
according to Audubon, ventilates it by covering the middle of the dome only with 
a layer of similar materials, through which the air can pass. Of the propagation 
of the musquash very little seems to be known with certainty. They pair in April 
and May, and the female produces from three to six young at a birth ; but 
whether this takes place once or several times in the course of the summer, is a 
matter of doubt. They are captured in fall-traps baited with apples, or by traps 
set at the mouth of their burrows. The Indians sometimes spear them in their 
houses. 

THE LEMMING is one of the most remarkable of the Muridae, on account 
of the great migrations which it performs, apparently with no special object. In 
Norway, where it is best known, they make their appearance in the cultivated dis- 
tricts in such enormous numbers, and so suddenly, that the peasants have always 
believed them to fall from the clouds. The lemming is a vole-like animal, about 
six inches long, of which the tail makes up about half an inch. It varies consid- 
erably in color, but is usually brownish yellow, with dark spots above, and with 
a yellow streak inclosing the eye on each side of the face; the under surface is 
yellowish. The ears are very short, scarcely projecting beyond the fur; the eyes 
are small, black, and beadlike ; the soles of the feet are hairy, and the claws of the 
fore feet much stronger than those on the hinder extremities. The Norwegian 
lemmings live and breed among the peat mosses of the mountains. The)' are 
lively and active little creatures, both by day and night, and feed upon the scanty 
vegetation of their Alpine home — grasses, lichens, the catkins of the dwarf birch, 
and roots. They are active even through the winter, when they make passages 
for themselves under the thick covering of snow which then veils the whole 
country, and thus are enabled to go in search of their ordinary food. They also 
make their way up to the surface, upon which they may occasionally be seen 
running, even in the depth of winter. They breed in their burrows and under 



492 THE RODENTIA. 



stones, and must be very prolific, seeing - that every predacious animal in the 
country destroys and devours them. The lemming is, in one sense, an exceedingly 
timid little creature, the slightest disturbance of its quietude, or even the passing 
overhead of a cloud, being sufficient to alarm it ; but when attacked it displays 
the most dauntless courage, standing on the defensive against both men and 
animals, and biting very sharply at anything that comes within its reach. From 
time to time, from some unexplained cause, the lemmings start in vast swarms 
from their mountain fastnesses, and make their way in a straight line in some 
definite direction. Nothing seems to turn them from their course ; they go straight 
on, over hill and dale, and, although said at other times to have an aversion to 
water, they now swim across any lakes or rivers that come in their wav. In this 
operation many of them lose their lives, for they require smooth water for their 
navigation, and the least breeze ruffling the surface suffices to send hundreds of 
them to the bottom. In this way they make their way down to the cultivated 
regions, where they do so much damage to vegetation, that in olden times a 
special form of prayer and exorcism was in use against them. Their march is 
accompanied by great numbers of carnivorous beasts and birds of all sorts. 
Wolves, foxes, and wild cats, and the smaller quadrupeds of the family Mustelidae, 
eagles, hawks, and owls, all prey upon them with avidity — even the reindeer is 
said to stamp them to death ; and the story of his eating them, long discredited, 
has lately been confirmed on good authority, while man, with his dogs and cats, 
is not behindhand in the work of destruction. Nevertheless, a great multitude 
survives all these dangers, and strange to say, the termination of this painful 
migration is always the sea, into whieh the survivors of the march plunge, and, 
apparently, voluntarily commit suicide. Mr. Crotch, who has published two or 
three papers on the lemming and its migrations, says that in Norway these animals 
always proceed from the central backbone of the country in an east or west 
direction, and in either case the survivors of the march drown themselves, those 
that go westward in the Atlantic, those that go eastward in the Gulf of Bothnia. 
His notion is that the migration is in obedience to an inherited instinct acquired 
at a time when there was land where the sea now rolls; but there are many diffi- 
culties in the way of such a hypothesis. 

THE MOLE RAT, which inhabits the southeast of Europe generally, has 
the eyes rudimentary and covered by the skin, so that the animal is quite blind, 
and the tail reduced to a sort of wart. The toes, especially those of the fore feet, 
are furnished with very powerful claws, which are vigorously employed by the 
animal in digging. The general covering of the body is a soft fur of a yellowish 
brown color, tinged with ashy-gray ; the head lighter, but becoming brownish 
behind ; and the lower surface ashy-gray, with some white streaks and spots. The 
muzzle, chin, and feet are whitish, and along each side of the face there runs a sort 
of ridge of stiff, bristle-like hairs. 



THE MOLE RA T. 



493 



In their mode of life, as in their form and the condition of the organs of sight 
and hearing, these animals present a considerable resemblance to the moles ; but 
as their food is exclusively of a vegetable nature, the object of their burrowing is 
not exactly the same. They all inhabit the Eastern hemisphere, and are generally 
met with in dry, sandy plains, the soil of which lends itself readily to mining 
operations. They seldom quit their burrows, and usually work in these only at 
night, when they make their way rapidly through the ground, and like the mole, 
can run either backward or forward in their subterranean galleries with equal 
facility. They feed chiefly on roots, and especially on the bulbs and tubers which 




THE MOLE RAT. 

so many plants possess in the dry districts which they frequent; but some of them 
also eat nuts, seeds, the young bark of trees, and herbage. None of them fall into 
a state of torpidity during the winter — indeed, only two species inhabit northern 
regions; but these, although active in the winter season, are said not to take the 
precaution to lay up a store of provisions. 

THE JERBOAS are an extensive and widely distributed family of hopping 
rodents. In these we find the organization for jumping brought to greater per- 
fection than in any other group. The body is light and slender, the hind limbs 
much elongated, the fore limbs very small, and the tail long and usually tufted at 
the end. 



494 THE RODENTIA. 



THE AMERICAN JUMPING MOUSE has a wide range, extending across 
the continent from sea to sea, and from Labrador, Hudson's Bay, and the Great 
Slave Lake in the North, to Virginia and the elevated portions of Arizona and 
New Mexico in the South. It is an elegant little mouse-like creature, rather 
more than three inches long, and furnished with a cylindrical tail, which exceeds 
the head and body in length by about two inches. Its hind limbs are not quite so 
disproportionately developed as in the other members of the family. Its fur in 
summer is of a brown color above, becoming yellowish on the sides, and white 
below ; in the winter the brown tint covers the whole surface. The ears, which 
are not very large, are black, with a light-colored rim ; the hind feet are grayish, 
and the fore feet whitish on the upper surface ; and the tail, which tapers to an 
exceedingly fine point, where there is" a fine pencil of hairs, is ringed, and nearlv 
naked. It is found in meadows in the neighborhood of woods and copses. It is 
nocturnal in its activity, sleeping during the day in its burrow, which is usually 
about two feet deep, and coming forth at night. It is sociable in its habits, and 
exceedingly active, covering from three to five feet of ground at each leap, so that 
it is a matter of no little difficulty to capture a specimen in the open. In the 
woods it is worse, as the little creature will bound over bushes, and get out of 
sight in a moment. Its food consists of seeds of various kinds, and it is exceedingly 
fond of beech mast. For protection from the cold of winter the jumping mouse 
makes a little hollow clay ball, within which it coils itself up and goes comfortably 
to sleep. The nest is made about six inches under the surface of the ground, and 
is composed of fine grass, sometimes mixed with feathers, wool and hair, and in 
this the female produces from two to four young, probably several times in the 
course of the summer, as the nests and young are to be found from May to August. 

THE JERBOA is a most lively and active little creature, which inhabits the 
deserts of Northeastern Africa as far south as Nubia, and extends its range into 
Arabia and Southwestern Asia.. On these arid plains, so scantily clothed with a 
few grasses and dry shrubs that it is difficult to conceive how any animal can find 
a living on them, the jerboa lives, often in numerous societies, and in company 
with the birds and lizards which enliven the wilderness. These animals dwell in 
subterranean abodes consisting of many branched galleries, which they dig out in 
the hard soil not far from the surface. The Arabs assert that these habitations are 
produced by the joint labor of the whole society. They retreat into their burrows 
at the least alarm. When going along quietly, the jerboa walks and runs by 
alternate steps of the hind feet, but when there is occasion for rapid motion it 
springs from both feet at the same time, covering so much ground at each leap, 
and touching the ground so momentarily between them that its motion is more 
like that of a bird skimming close to the surface of the ground than that of a four- 
footed beast. The Jerboa is about six inches long, with a tail about eight inches 
in length, exclusive of the tuft with which its tip is adorned. Its upper surface is 



THE A L ACT AG A. 



495 




THE ALACTAGA. 



of a grayish sand color, like that of many desert animals. The lower surface is 
white, and the tail pale yellowish above and white beneath, with the tuft white, 
with an arrow-shaped black mark on its upper surface. 

Several other species of jerboas are known, some from the deserts of North 
Africa, others from the steppes of Central Asia. The latter region harbors some 
forms which differ from the preceding, among other characters, by having five 
toes on the hind feet, whereas the true jerboas have only three, but of the five 
toes only three are sufficiently developed to take part in the animal's progression. 
The best known of them is the Alactaga, a rather larger species than the jerboa, 
and with a still longer tail, reddish yellow with a grayish tinge above, white 
beneath, and on the hind legs. Its range extends from the Crimea and the steppes 
of the Don across Central Asia to the borders of China. It walks upon all fours 
and when advancing quickly springs along after the fashion of the jerboa. Its 
food consists of all sorts of vegetable substances, but it is especially fond of the 
bulbs of plants, and does not refuse occasionally to eat insects, or even the eggs 
and young of the birds which inhabit the steppes with it. The alactagas live in 
very complicated burrows, with many passages and branches, and they are said 
always to make one passage from the central chamber of their residence, which 
terminates close to the surface of the earth at some distance, but is only opened in 
case of danger, when the inhabitants escape through it, the position of its intended 
aperture having been previously unrecognizable. In cold weather they sleep in 
their nests. The female produces from five or six to eight voung, in a nest lined 
with her own hair. 



496 



THE RODENT!.* 



SECTION III. — PORCUPINE LIKE RODENTS. 




~*-^J^ 



THE DEGU. 



This first family of the porcupine 
alliance consists of a number of rat- 
like animals, nearly all of which are 
inhabitants of South America, three 
species only being peculiar to the 
large West Indian Islands, whilst, 
singularly enough, four more are 
known from different parts of the 
African continent. 

THE DEGU, a very abundant 
species in Chili, which also extends 
into Peru, may be taken as a typical 
example of the whole family. The 
fur is soft, and the tail is short. The 
degu is a rat-like animal, rather 
smaller than the water vole, the head 
and body measuring from seven and 
a half to eight inches in length, and the tail, exclusive of its terminal tuft, rather 
more than half that length. The general color of the animal is brownish yellow, 
penciled with black on the back. The lower surface is yellowish, the feet white, 
and the tail dusky above, whitish beneath, with the tufted tip dusky or blackish. 
In the central parts of Chili, according to various travelers, the degu is exceed- 
ingly abundant, living in large societies about hedges and thickets, and running 
about boldly, even on the high roads. The animals make their burrows in the 
hedge banks and similar places, and when alarmed rush into them with their tails 
elevated, very much after the manner of rabbits. As the burrows communicate 
freely with each other, the degu can easily escape pursuit, going in at one opening 
and coming out at another at some considerable distance. They sometimes climb 
up into the bushes among which they live. Their ordinary food consists of the 
herbage which grows about their dwelling places, but they also invade gardens 
and fields, where they may do considerable damage. In the winter they will feed 
upon the tender bark of certain trees, but they are said by some authors to lay up 
a store of food against this season. They do not become torpid. The female is 
believed to produce two broods in the year, each consisting of from four to 
six young. 



THE PORCUPINES exhibit the conversion of the hairs into spines in per- 
fection, the whole upper part of the body being in several instances completely 
covered with long, hollow, pointed quills, whilst in all cases great numbers of 



THE PORCUPINES. 



49f 



spines and stiff bristles are mixed with the hair. The porcupines fall readily into 
two distinct groups, characterized by structure, habits, and geographical distri- 
bution. In the strictly terrestrial species, or true porcupines, which inhabit the 
warmer parts of the Eastern hemisphere, the skull is rather more elongated than 
the others. The upper lip is furrowed. The tail, which may be either long or 
short, is never prehensile. The soles of the feet are smooth. The arboreal 
species, which are all American, have the skull peculiarly short; the upper lip is 
not furrowed, the tail is moderate or long, and generally prehensile; the soles of 
the feet are covered with wart-like tubercles. 




THE COMMON PORCUPINE. 



THE COMMON PORCUPINE of the Old World may serve as a charac- 
teristic and well known example of the first of these two groups. It is an inhab- 
itant of the Mediterranean region, occurring in most parts of North Africa, and 
extending as far southward as the Gambia and Soudan. In Southern Europe it is 
abundant in Italy, Sicily and Greece. It measures about twenty-seven or twenty- 
eight inches in length, to the roots of the tail, which is about four inches long. The 
head, shoulders, limbs, and under parts are clothed with short spines intermixed 
with hairs usually of a dusky or brownish black hue. The neck is marked with a 
whitish collar. From the back of the head and neck there rises a great crest of 
long bristles, many of them fifteen or sixteen inches in length, which can be ele- 
vated and depressed at the pleasure of the animal, are gently curved backward, 
and are either dusky with the extremities white, or whitish throughout. The 
hinder portion of the body is entirely covered by a great number of long, sharp 
32 



498 THE RODENTIA. 



spines, ringed with black and white, but always having the extremities white. 
These spines vary considerably in size, some of them being very long (fifteen or 
sixteen inches), comparatively slender and flexible. Others shorter (from six to 
twelve inches), but much stouter. The)' are all hollow, or filled only with a sort 
of spongy tissue, but from their structure are exceedingly resistant, and when the 
animal erects them, which he is able to do by contracting the muscles of the skin 
in which the roots are embedded, they constitute a most formidable armature. 
They appear to be but loosely attached to the skin, and readily fall out, a circum- 
stance which no doubt gave rise to the belief prevalent among the ancients (and 
many moderns) that the porcupine was able to shoot his spines at an approaching 
enemy, or even to project them behind him at a pursuer when he was rushing 
away in search of a place of safety. The tail of the animal bears at its tip about 
twenty spines of very curious construction. They are abont two inches long, 
hollow, open, and cut off square at the end, and about a quarter of an inch in 
diameter for the greater part of their length, but they are inserted into the skin 
by the extremity of a thin stalk half an inch long. 

The porcupine lives in holes among the rocks, or in a burrow, which he 
makes for himself in ordinary ground. In this retreat he passes the day in sleep, 
coming forth in the evening in search of food, which consists of herbage of various 
kinds, fruits, roots, and the bark and leaves of trees and bushes. He is slow in his 
movements, and does not even display much activity in burrowing. His habits 
are solitary except during the pairing season, and during the winter he passes 
most of his time in his habitation, without, however, falling into a torpid state. 
The pairing takes place early in the year, but varies in this respect according to 
the climate of the locality, and in the spring or early summer the female produces 
from two to four young, in a nest carefully lined with leaves, grasses, roots, and 
other vegetable substances. The young porcupines are born with their eyes open, 
and their bodies are covered with short, soft spines, which are pressed closely to 
the body. These speedily harden and grow longer, and the young do not appear 
to remain very long with their mother. The flesh of the porcupine, like that of 
most purely vegetable-feeding rodents, is very good, and is eaten in the countries 
where the animal occurs. When pursued or irritated, he stands on the defensive, 
erects his formidable quills and crest, stamps on the ground with his hind feet after 
the manner of a hare, jerks himself toward the object of his dread, as if to wound 
it with his spines, and at the same time produces a curious noise by rattling the 
open quills of the tip of his tail. But all these manoeuvres are generally in vain, 
and the porcupine, in spite of his defensive armor, is pretty easily captured by 
those who know how to set about it. The leopard is said to manage the business 
at once by a single blow of his paw on the head. 

THE TREE PORCUPINES, forming the second group, several species 
with prehensile tails, range over the continent of South America, east of the 



THE PORCUPINES. 



499 




THE TREE PORCUPINE. 



Andes, and one of them, the Mexican Tree porcupine, is found as far north as 
Guatemala and Southern Mexico. The most abundant and widely distributed 
species in the Brazilian region are the Couendou and the Couiy, inhabiting Guiana, 
Brazil and Bolivia, the latter being found throughout the forest region of Brazil, 
and as far south as Paraguay. 

These animals are of considerable size, usually measuring from sixteen to 
twenty inches in length without the tail, which is about one-third the length of the 
head and body. By the aid of the prehensile tip of this organ they climb with 
great facility and security upon the branches of the trees, but their feet are also 
specially adapted for this particular mode of activity, and they are said even to 
climb the palm trees in order to feed upon their fruit. They are nocturnal in their 
habits, passing the day in sleep concealed in the fork of a branch, and going abroad 
at night in search of their food, which consists of fruits of various kinds, and the 
buds, leaves, and even flowers, of the trees on which they live. Roots also form 
a part of their nourishment, probably when they reside rather among thickets 
than in the high forest. Their spines, although short when compared with those 
of the common porcupine, are formidable defensive weapons when the animal 
erects them ; in some species, as especially in the Couiy, they are concealed, when 
depressed, by the long hair, and according to Hensel, this serves as a protection to 
the animal from rapacious birds, for, when it sits in a heap, sleeping away the day- 
light, these soft gray hairs give it a most deceptive resemblance to a mass of the 
beard-moss which so commonly grows on the trees in the Brazilian forests. 



500 THE RODENTIA. 



THE CANADA PORCUPINE, or Urson, the only North American species 
of the family, is about two feet or more in length when full grown, and is covered 
with woolly hair, and with long coarse hair of a dark brown color, with the points 
white or yellowish. The spines are white, with the points usually dusky or brown. 
The Canada porcupine is distributed through the whole of the United States, 
except on the seaboard, from New York to Virginia, and north of the States 
through Canada, as far as the limit of trees. 

Although a heavy and clumsy-looking beast, and destitute of the prehensile 
tail of its South American cousins, this porcupine is a good climber, and passes 
nearly the whole of its life upon trees; nevertheless, according to Mr. Allen, it 
may be met with traveling upon the prairies, probably on its way from one suitable 
residence to another. On the ground it moves slowly, but its armature of spines 
is a protection against most of its enemies, and it has the art of striking verv 
forcible and judicious blows with its spiny tail. Audubon and Bachmann mention 
many cases in which dogs, wolves, and even a puma were found dead or dying in 
consequence of the severe inflammation caused by the spines of this animal sticking 
about their mouths; and the former gives an interesting account of a lesson in 
urbanity given by a captive urson to a mastiff that attacked him. The food of the 
urson consists of various vegetable substmces, fruits, buds, and the young shoots 
and leaves of trees. In the winter it subsists chiefly upon the bark, which it strips 
off the upper branches of the trees, and when it has taken up its abode upon a tree 
it stays there until thesuitable bark has been consumed. As it prefers young 
trees this operation is generally effected pretty quickly, and in this way it is esti 
mated that a single porcupine may destroy hundreds of trees in the course of a 
winter. The urson resides in the holes of trees, and in such situations, or in crev 
ices among the rocks, the female prepares her nest, in which she brings forth 
usually two, but occasionally three or four, young in April or May. 

THE COMMON CHINCHILLA, the skins of which are well known as fur, 
is a squirrel-like animal, nine or ten inches long, with a tail more than half this 
length. It has large rounded ears; its fore feet have five, and its hind four, toes. 
Its fur on the upper part is gray, elegantly marbled with dusky or black, on the 
lower surface yellowish white; the tail is black above, and dirty white at the sides 
and beneath. The incisors are of a bright orange color in front. The Short- 
tailed chinchilla, a larger species, has the tail only three inches long. Its fur is of 
a general silvery-gray hue, tinged with black, especially along the back, and the 
tail has two dark bands on its upper surface. Both these animals inhabit Peru, 
and the former is also found in Bolivia and Chili. They are exceedingly abundant, 
notwithstanding the constant persecution to which they are subjected for the sake 
of their skins. They come out of their holes even in the daytime, but they always 
keep on the shady side of the rocks. Their activity is described as wonderful, and 
they will run with great rapidity up perpendicular walls of rock which seem to 



COMMON CHINCHILLA— A GOUTI. 



501 



offer no hold for their feet. On the ground they are said to run very much after 
the fashion of our common mice. 

THE AGOUTI is found chieflv in Guiana, Brazil, and Eastern Peru, where it 
is to be found plentifully in the primeval forests. Like the other true Agoutis, it 
has only three toes on the hind foot ; its ears are of moderate size and rounded ; 
its form compact, and supported upon slender limbs; its tail rudimentary; and 
the hair of its back is coarse and harsh, and longer toward the hinder parts, which 




THE CHINCHILLA. 

thus obtain a somewhat truncated appearance. Its general color is olive brown, 
produced by a mixture of black and yellow; but the long hairs covering the 
hinder portion of the back are usually of an orange color, and the middle line of 
the abdomen is whitish or yellow. This animal is from eighteen to twenty inches 
long. 

Although inhabiting the forests, the agouti is not infrequently seen on the 
neighboring grassy plains, but its residence is among the trees, in the hollows of 
which, or in cavities at their roots, it takes up its abode, generally lying concealed 
in its retreat during the day. It is very quick in its movements, runs well, 
and springs with almost the agility of an antelope. The food of the agouti con- 
sists of almost any vegetable substances that come in its way. It will eat grass 
and herbage, the roots of plants, their flowers and fruit, and when it lives in the 



502 



THE RODENTIA. 



\ will fy^< I// /"v Y\V -\. i v. .■a\ i X 7/Kv „■ r - .v ^, 




AZARA S AGOUTI. 



neighborhood of sugar plantations and gardens its inroads may give rise to consid- 
erable injury. The animal is, however, rather solitary in its habits, living by itself 
in its cell, in its departure from and return to which it appears generally to follow 
exactly the same roads, by which means a narrow but very distinct footpath is in 
course of time produced. This naturally often leads to the discovery and capture 
of the little recluse. 

THE PACA differs generically from the agouti by having five toes on the 
hind feet. It has a broader head and a blunter muzzle, and is altogether a rather 
stouter animal than the agouti; but, like most of them, it has a mere tubercle 
instead of a tail. 

The paca, which inhabits Central and South America from Guatemala to 
Paraguay, is about two feet long, and is clothed with short, rather coarse hair of a 
brown or yellowish brown color above, white beneath, with from three to five 
bands of white streaks and spots upon each side of the body. In its habits the 
paca very much resembles the agouti. It usually lives singly, or sometimes in 
pairs, on the borders of the forests, or near the banks of rivers, taking up its abode 
during the day either in a hole at the root of some tree, or in a burrow excavated 
by its labor, and which is generally carried to a depth of four or five feet. Its 
food consists of the leaves, fruits and flowers of various plants, and, like the 



PACA-DINOMYS. 



503 



agouti, it occasionally does mischief in the corn fields and gardens. The female 
produces only one, or at most two, young at a birth. The paca swims well, and 
can cross even a broad river in this way. Its flesh, like that of the agouti, is very 
well flavored, and is consumed both by natives and Europeans. 

CHE DINOMYS in its external appearance closely resembles the paca. The 
ears ars short and rounded ; the upper lip deeply cleft; the incisors very broad ; 
and the tail of moderate length and well clothed with hair. The animal, which 
inhabits the high mountain regions of Peru, is of the size of the paca, or about 







THE DYNOMYS. 

two feet long, exclusive of the tail, which measures rather more than nine inches. 
Its general color is gray, produced by the sprinkling of white among nearly black 
hairs, and on each side of the body are numerous large white spots, of which the 
upper ones nearly rnn together, so as to form two longitudinal bands. The 
extremity of the tail is black. 

The only known example of this rodent was obtained in Peru, having been 
found at daybreak walking about the yard. It showed no fear of man, and was 
easily killed by a sword cut or two on the head. The species would appear to be 
rare, as the inhabitants of the neighborhood were not acquainted with it. Of 
course nothing is known of its habits. 



504 



THE RODENTIA. 



THE CAVIES, the last of 
the simple toothed rodents, in- 
cludes a small number of species, 
of which the common Guinea pig- 
may serve as a sort of type. The 
Guinea pig is, however, one of 
the smaller species of the family, 
and the tail is rudimentary or 
wanting. They are stout, more 
or less rabbit-like animals, with a 
soft coat, and the ears variable in 
length, and they are confined to 
the continent of South America, 
where they chiefly inhabit the 
plains. 

THE RESTLESS CAVY, 

which is commonly regarded as 
the wild original of the so-called 
Guinea pig, is abundant on the 
banks of the Rio de la Plata, and 
extends thence northward 
through Paraguay into Bolivia 
and Brazil. It is usually about 
nine inches long, with the fur of 
the upper part and sides of the body composed of a mixture of black and dingy 
yellow hairs, the chest grayish brown, and the throat and belly pale dingy yellow 
or brownish gray. The incisor teeth are white. The genus to which this animal 
belongs may be at once distinguished by the shortness of the limbs. The ears 
also are short. The feet are naked beneath. The hind toes are not webbed, and 
the molar teeth are nearly equal in size, and each composed of two angular lobes. 
The specific name of the restless cavy seems to be derived from its popular 
name in the country where it occurs. According to Mr. Darwin, it is very 
common about the banks of the La Plata, sometimes frequenting sandy hillocks, 
and the hedgerows formed of the agave and the prickly pear, but apparently pre- 
ferring marshy places covered with aquatic plants. In dry places it makes a bur- 
row ; but when it frequents wet localities contents itself with the concealment 
afforded to it by the herbage. Rengger describes it also as generally haunting 
moist situations in Paraguay, and he adds that it keeps near the borders of forests, 
but is never found in the forests or in the open fields. It lives in small societies of 
from six to fifteen individuals, in the impenetrable thickets of Bromelias, where its 
presence is revealed by the numerous beaten paths which it produces by going to 




THE GUINEA PIG. 



THE C A VIES. 



505 



and fro. In Bolivia, according to Mr. Bridges, it is peculiar to the lowlands, and 
there takes shelter among the loose stones of the walls inclosing the fields. It is 
active in search of food early in the morning and in the eveuing, but will also 
come forth on gloomy days. 



THE PATAGONIAN CAVY, or Mara, is an animal which somewhat re- 
sembles the agouti in the length and comparative slenderness of its legs, and 
differs from all other cavies in having tolerably long, pointed ears. It also pos- 




PATAGONIAN CAVY. 

sesses a very short tail. The animal is somewhat harelike in its appearance, and 
has been mistaken for a hare by superficial observers. It is, however, a much 
larger animal, measuring from thirty to thirty-six inches in length, and weighing 
from twenty to thirty-six pounds. 

The Patagonian cavy is clothed with a dense crisp fur of a gray color on the 
upper part of the head and body, rusty yellow on the flanks, and white on the 
chin, throat and belly. The rump is black, with a broad white band crossing it 
immediately above the tail. It inhabits Patagonia, and extends northward into 
the La Plata territory as far as Mendoza. It is found only in the sterile desert 
part of the country, where the gravelly plains are thinly covered with a few 



506 THE RODENTIA. 



stunted thorn bushes and a scanty herbage. The northern limit of the species, 
according to Mr. Darwin, is at the point where the vegetation of the plains 
becomes rather more luxuriant. The Patagonian cavy usually burrows in the 
ground, but where it lives in the same region as the Viscacha, it will take advant- 
age of the excavations made by that animal. It wanders to considerable distances 
from its home, and on these excursions two or three are usually seen together. 
Mr. Darwin says: "It is a common feature in the landscape of Patagonia 
to see in the distance two or three of these cavies hopping one after the other 
over the gravelly plains." Their mode of running, on the same authority, more 
nearly resembles that of the rabbit than of the hare. Though their limbs are 
long, they do not run very fast. They rarely squat like a hare, but are very shy 
and watchful, and feed by day, in connection with which it is to be observed 
that the eyes are defended from the direct rays of the sun by well-developed eye- 
lashes, which do not occur in the other cavies. The female produces generally 
two young at a birth, which are brought forth and suckled in the burrow. 

THE COMMON HARES. The general appearance of these animals hardly 
needs to be described. The representatives of this family occur in nearly all 
parts of the world, but chiefly in the Northern hemisphere, and the few species 
which pass down within the tropics are generally found only in mountainous 
regions. In the North they reach the Arctic regions in both continents. It 
is distinguished from the rabbit by the redder hue of its fur, the great pro- 
portionate length of its black-tipped ears, which are nearly an inch longer 
than the head; by its very long hind legs, and its large and prominent eyes. 
The color of the common hare is grayish brown on the upper portions of the 
body, mixed with a dash of yellow. The abdomen is white, and the neck and 
breast yellowish white. The tail is black on the upper surface and white under- 
neath, so that when the creature runs it exhibits the white tail at every leap. 
Sometimes the color of the hare deepens into black, and there are many examples 
of Albino specimens of this animal. 

The hare does not live in burrows like the rabbit, but only makes a slight 
depression in the ground, in which she lies so flatly pressed to the earth that she 
can hardly be distinguished from the soil and dried herbage among which she 
has taken up her abode. In countries where the snow lies deep in winter, the 
hare lies very comfortably under the white mantle which envelopes the earth, in a 
little cave of her own construction. She does not attempt to leave her "form" as 
the snow falls heavily around her, but only presses it backward and forward by 
the movement of her body, so as to leave a small space between herself and the 
snow. By degrees the feathery flakes are formed into a kind of domed chamber, 
with the exception of a little round hole which serves as a ventilating aperture. 
This airhole is often the means of her destruction as well as of her safety, for the 
scent which issues from the aperture betrays her presence. 




507 



508 



THE RODENTIA. 




The hare is by no means a timid animal. 
It fights desperately with its own species, 
and in defence of its young will attack even 
man. In England the hare is shot, and hunted 
either with grayhounds or a pack of hunters. 
Its long and powerful limbs enable it to make 
^ prodigious bounds, and it has been known 
!fS§^ to leap over a wall eight feet high. 
— — yjrj:'^^^ It is a wonderfully cunning animal, and 

1^i5^>^?g?^ zgg ^ '■^ ga - — is said by many who have closely studied 

wild rabbit ^ ts habits to surpass the fox in ready inge- 

nuity. Sometimes it will run forward for a 
considerable distance, and then, after returning for a few hundred yards on the 
same track, will make a great leap at right angles to its former course, and lie 
quietly hidden while the hounds run past its spot of concealment. It then jumps 
back again to its track, and steals quietly out of sight in one direction, while the 
hounds are going in the other. 

The hare also displays great ingenuity in running over the kind of soil that 
will best suit the formation of her feet, and has been known on more than one 
occasion to break the line of scent most effectually by leaping into some lake or 
stream, and swimming for a considerable distance before she takes to the land 
again. 

In pursuing the hare with grayhounds, the dogs are held in couples in a leash, 
and are let loose when a hare is seen. This is the method adopted in coursing 
matches. In this sport a judge rides after the dogs, and makes note of their per- 
formance ; the number of turns, and the like, which each of the contestants suc- 
cessfully achieve, and not the mere seizing of the hare, decide the victory. 

The hare has been often tamed. The poet Cowper amused his solitude with 
his tame hares, and celebrated them in his verse. Dr. Franklin had a hare that 
used to sit between a cat and a gray hound before the fire, and lived on the best 
terms with them, and they have been taught various tricks, such as beating drums, 
firing pistols, and dancing. 



THE RABBIT is distinguished from the hare by its smaller dimensions, its 
grayish color, and its shorter ears, as well as by its habits. It has been extensively 
acclimatized in America. It exists in great numbers in Sable Island, Nova Scotia, 
and on Rabbit Key, near Key West. It is found everywhere in Europe, and is 
supposed to have spread northward from Africa. 

The rabbit is one of the most familiar of American quadrupeds, having taken 
firm possession of the soil into which it has been imported, and multiplied to so 
great an extent that its numbers can hardly be kept within proper bounds without 
annual and wholesale massacres. As it is more tameable than the hare, it has 



THE RABBIT. 509 




EGYPTIAN HARE. 

long been ranked among- the chief of domestic pets, and has been so modified by 
careful management that it has developed itself into many permanent varieties, 
which would be considered as different species by one who saw them for the first 
time. The little brown, short-furred wild rabbit of the warren bears hardly less 
resemblance to the long-haired, silken-furred, Angola variety, than the Angola to 
the pure lop-eared variety with its enormously lengthened ears and its heavy 
dewlap. 

In its wild state the rabbit is an intelligent and amusing creature, full of odd 
little tricks, and given to playing the most ludicrous antics as it gambols about the 
ivarren in all the unrestrained joyousness of habitual freedom. No one can form 
iny true conception of the rabbit nature until he has observed the little creatures 
in their native home ; and when he has once done so, he will seize the earliest 
opportunity of resuming his acquaintance with the droll little creatures. 

The female rabbit is exceedingly prolific, and has seven or eight litters a year, 
with from four to eight in each. Some days before bringing forth, the rabbit 
excavates a chamber which is specially destined for its progeny. This burrow, 
which is straight or crooked, as the case may be, invariably terminates in a circular 
apartment, furnished with a bed of dry herbage, which again is covered with a 
layer of down, that the mother has torn from the lower portion of her body. On 
this bed the young are deposited. 

THE JACKASS RABBIT has very large ears, more than one-third longer 
than the head. A dark brown stripe is seen on the top of the neck, and a black 
stripe from the rump extends to the root of the tail, and along its upper surface to 



510 



THE RODENTIA. 



the tip. The upper surface of the body is mottled deep buff and black, the throat 
and belly white, the under side of the neck dull rufous. 

It received its name from the troops in the Mexican war, who found it very 
good eating-, and it formed an important article of provisions for J. W. Audubon 
during his travels in Mexico. It inhabits the southern parts of New Mexico, the 
western parts of Texas, and the elevated lands westward of the coast lands of 
Mexico. On the Pacific coast it is replaced by the California Hare. 




THE ALPINE PIKA. 



THE ALPINE PIKA, which inhabits Siberia from the Irtisch eastward into 
Kamstchatka, is a little animal from nine to nine and a half inches long, of a 
grayish brown color above, yellowish gray beneath ; the feet are pale, and the ears 
dirty yellowish white within, becoming dusky toward the margin, which is white 
This animal occurs in considerable numbers in the Alpine and sub-Alpine parts of 
Siberia, where it either burrows in the ground, or shelters itself in crevices of 
rocks, or among loose stones. The Pikas generally come out only at night, 
although they sometimes venture forth on a cloudy day. Their food consists of 
the scanty herbage to be found in their elevated abode, and as this would be 
impossible to procure during the winter when the ground is thickly covered with 
snow, the Pikas take care in the autumn to collect a large supply of dried grasses 



THE PIKAS. 



511 



and other herbage, which they pile up near their habitations like little haystacks. 
They are, however, sometimes deprived of the fruits of their labor by the sable 
hunters, who plunder the pikas' stacks to feed their horses. The female produces 
about six naked young early in the summer. 

THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN PIKA is a small species from six inches to 
seven and a half inches long, of a grayish brown color above, yellowish brown 
on the sides, and grayish below. It received its specific name from its discoverer, 
Sir J. Richardson, in allusion to the name of " Little Chief Hare " given to it by 
the Indians. It inhabits the summits of the Rocky Mountains from Colorado 
northward far within British America, and also occurs in the mountains of Utah, 
California and Oregon. Mr. Allen describes its habits as follows : " The animals 
are everywhere found in communities, living among the loose rocks from a little 
below timber line nearby up to the snow line. They appear to rarely wander 
many yards from their homes ; are timid, yet easily become familiar. Though 
retreating to their homes when first alarmed, they soon come cautiously out one 
after another, till one may hear their sharp little cries in every direction. Their 
color so nearly resembles that of the rocks they live among, that they are not 
easily seen, and their cry is of such a character as easily to mislead one in respect 
to the point from which it proceeds, seeming to be far away when only a few feet 
distant. They sit erect, like little marmots. *.'*.'* They carry into fissures of 
the rocks large quantities of grass, which they lay up for winter consumption." 




CHAPTER XX. 

ORDER EDENTATA.— (ANIMALS WITHOUT FRONT TEETH.) 

THE SLOTHS. When the forests of the northern parts of South America 
were explored by Europeans, it was observed that spider monkeys, howlers and 
their quadrumanous allies, were not the only climbing animals that frequented the 
trees. For every now and then, hunters came in sight of creatures about the size 
of a large monkey, but whose sluggish movements, long hair, short heads, small 
ears and tail, and very long claws, enabled them to be distinguished at once from 
their very lively companions. It was noticed that these new creatures, instead of 
climbing quickly and swinging from branch to branch and running along the 
boughs, moved very slowly, by hanging head and body downward, and grasping 
the branches with their long claws. During the daytime, these quiet animals were 
constantly found asleep, huddled up in the fork of a branch, and looking like 
great balls of tow, or else hanging by two legs, the rest of the body being curled 
up. Now and then, one was seen at the foot of a tree, and it appeared to run 
along the ground with great difficulty ; for the arms were so long that it walked 
on the elbows, and the hind feet were turned in, so that it supported itself on the 
sides of its great hind claws. Naturally, the animal took its time in moving, and 
as it was never seen to be lively, it received the name of Sloth. Interesting from 
being so different in its habits from other arboreal animals, it became much more 
so, to naturalists, when its remarkable construction was ascertained; but still the 
hairy creature with a short face, small head, long neck, hardly any tail, and very 
long front limbs, retained its popular name. 

Sloths are caught without much difficulty, and their habits, in captivity, have 
been observed in South America and elsewhere. Waterton writes on the subject: 

" Some years ago I kept a sloth for several months. I often took him out of 
the house and placed him on the ground, in order to have an opportunity of 
observing its motions. If the ground were rough he would pull himself forward 
by means of his fore legs, at a pretty good pace, and he invariably shaped his 
course for the nearest tree ; but if I put him upon a smooth and well-trodden part 
of the road, he appeared to be in trouble and distress. His favorite abode was 
the back of a chair, and often getting all his legs in a line upon the topmost part 
of it, he would hang there for hours together. The sloth, in its wild state, spends 

512 



THE SLOTHS. 



513 



its whole life upon trees, 
not upon the branches, but 
under them ; he moves sus- 
pended, from the branch he 
rests suspended from it, and 
he sleeps suspended from it ; 
hence his seemingly bungled 
conformation is at once 
accounted lor. One day, 
crossing the Essequibo, I 
saw a large two-toed sloth 
on the ground upon the 
bank, and although the trees 
were not twenty yards from 
him, he could not make his 
way through the sand in 
time enough to make his 
escape before we landed. 
He threw himself on his 
back, and defended himself 
with his fore legs. I took 
a long stick and held it for 
him to hook on, and then 
conveyed him to a high and 
stately mora. He ascended 
with wonderful rapidity, 
and in about a minute he 
was almost at the top of 
the tree. He now went off 
in a side direction, and 
caught hold of the branch 
of a neighboring tree, and then proceeded toward the heart of the forest." 

The sloth spends nearly the whole of its life in the trees, and travels along 
the branches body downward. It rarely comes to the ground, on which it walks 
with difficulty, and it occasionally takes to the water and swims. It looks slothful 
enough when asleep, for it then resembles a bunch of rough hair, and a jumble of 
limbs close together, hanging to a branch ; but when awake, it is industrious in its 
search for nice twigs and leaves, and moves along the under side of the branches 
of the trees with some activity. It seizes the ends of adjoining branches, clinging 
to the leafy mass, and moves from tree to tree quickly enough, when it is requisite, 
and it has a very singular power of moving the head and neck backward in seek- 
ing food. When the atmosphere is still, the sloth keeps to its tree, feeding on the 
33 




THE COLLARE 



514 THE EDENTATA. 



leaves and twigs, but when there is wind, and the branches of neighboring trees 
come in contact, the opportunity is seized, and the animal moves along the forest, 
under the shady cover of the boughs. The Indians have a saying that " when the 
wind blows the sloths began to crawl," and the reason is thus evident enough — the 
animal cannot jump, but it can hang, swing, and crawl suspended. Mr. Waterton 
states, however, that " the sloth travels at a good round pace, and were you to see 
him passing from tree to tree you would never think of calling him a sloth. Being 
born up in a tree, living amongst the branches, feeding on the leaves, and finally 
dying amidst the foliage, and enjoyiug life as much as any other animal, its 
structure and conformation are, of course, admirably suited for this arboreal 
existence. Its power of grasp is great, and is assisted by the great bent claws as 
it hangs by its feet when asleep, and also often when it is dead. One which was 
much frightened by being taken from the forest had a pole placed near it at a dis- 
tance from the ground on two supports. It clung directly to the pole and hung 
on. A dog was then made to attack the sloth, which seized it in its long claws, 
and did not let go until the enemy died.'' 

THE COLLARED SLOTH. This sloth lives in the densest forests of Brazil, 
Peru, and Para, and is found not far from Rio Janeiro. It is a kind of the three- 
clawed sloths, in which there is little or no difference between the fur of the males 
and females. The neck is surrounded by a large collar of long black hair, and 
underneath this is a fur of a dark brown color. The face is naked, and is of a 
black color, and the hair of the body is not very flattened, but is withered looking 
to a certain extent. The forehead, temples, chin, throat and breast are covered 
with reddish or rust colored hair, slightly grizzled. On the crown of the head it 
is long and yellow, and pale orange on the rest of the body. This sloth produces 
one at a birth. 

Like all the sloths, it has the power of long and sustained muscular action, 
and can cling on or grasp for a very long time without perceptible fatigue, and 
this gift is associated with a structure of the bloodvessels which supply the 
muscles, resembling that noticed in some of the lemurs. 

THE Al. The word Ai is taken from the noise made by the animal. The 
true Ai inhabits Venezuela and Peru, and has very long flaccid gray hair mottled 
with white. There is an abundant under fur of a blackish brown color, which has 
white and black in spots and blotches. 

There is a small spot between the shoulders on the back, where the fur is soft 
and woolly, and a broad, short, blackish streak there, with a white or orange ring 
around it. The claws are colored brown. The head has a curiously cut short 
and turned-up nose appearance, and is furnished with coarse shaggy hair, disposed 
on the crown in a diverging manner. The short hair of the face contrasts with 
the long, shaggy, shriveled, dry, hay-looking hair of the body. This hair is coarse 



THE SLOTH. 



515 



and flattened at the ends, but it is exceptionally fine at the roots, and it greatly 
resembles in color and texture some of the vegetation of the trees on which it 
lives. 



The eves are bright, and are surrounded by a dark ring. 




Hoffmann's sloth. {From Life?) 

HOFFMANN'S SLOTH. This is a sloth with two clawed fingers on the 
fore, and with three claws on the hinder extremities. Living specimens are occa- 
sionally brought to the States, so that its general appearance may now and then 
be studied. If it be looked at there in the daytime, it certainly merits the name of 
sloth, for it resembles a bundle of long, light brown hair, fixed on the top of a bar 



516 THE EDENTATA. 



of wood close to an upright branch, or huddled up in a corner on the ground ; but 
in the morning, and also late in the evening, the creature begins to move slowly, 
and to look out for the food put for its use on the floor of the den. All the Hoff- 
mann's sloths have pale brown hair, whiter at the tips, and a white face, showing 
a broad band across the nose, extending to a ring around each eye. They have 
also a long and full crest of hair on the neck, and the hair on the limbs is darker 
than that of the rest of the animal. Dr. Peters, who discovered this sloth, exam- 
ined the skeleton, and found only six vertebrae in the neck, and in this it differs 
from the Cholcepus just noticed. 

When its food, consisting of carrots and lettuce, and bread and milk, is put 
down in the morning it is soon in movement, and enjoys its meal hanging down 
from a bar with its hind legs, and resting its back on the floor of the cage. It 
seizes the food between the claws and the long straight palm of the fore foot, and 
passes it into its mouth, chewing actively with the molar teeth, especially with the 
first, which are sharp. It cares little for the spectators, and when it has finished 
slowly mounts up into a corner of its little den and settles down to sleep. In the 
evening it becomes lively, for it is, and, indeed, all sloths are nocturnal in habit. 
The hairless snout, of a light red tint, the absence of " smellers," the little eyes 
with a few hairs around them, and the broad forehead, give the animal a curious 
appearance. The hair is brushed back on the forehead, and comes around the 
very small ears on to the cheeks, and is whity brown, and this same tint is seen 
over the whole of the back in long slender hairs. But the under hair is light red 
or red brown. The long and slender handTwith its two claws, contrasts with the 
rather bulky upper part of the limbs, and the flesh colored palms are very 
remarkable. 

The whole of the sloths lead very monotonous lives. Their food is ever 
within their reach, and it is abundant, and they do not appear to have to compete 
much or at all in the struggle for existence with other animals. Their enemies 
are snakes and the carnivora, but it is evident that they are much more readily 
preserved by their habits from the latter than from the former. Leading such an 
uneventful existence, there is no great call upon their nervous energies or intelli- 
gence, and these are at a low pitch. The brain consequently is very simple in 
convolutions, which are few in number and shallow. 

THE CAPE AMY EATER, or Aard-Vark. In one of the cages in the house 
close to where the kangaroos are kept, in the Zoological Gardens of London, there 
is usually a heap of straw to be seen and an empty dish. Outside the cage is 
placed the name of an animal, "The Cape Ant-eater." People look and wait, and 
as neither the animal nor the ants it eats are to be seen, they go away, supposing 
that the absence of the last named insects has caused the destruction of the animal, 
whose straw alone remains. But in the evening, and sometimes in the morning, 
when the food is placed in the cage — not ants, however — a long pair of stuck-up 



THE CAPE ANT EATER. 



517 



ears, looking like those of a gigantic hare with a white skin and little fur, may be 
seen poked up above the straw ; and soon after, a long white muzzle, with small 
sharp eyes between it and the long ears, comes into view. 

Then a very fat and rather short-bodied animal with a long head and short neck, 
low fore and large hind quarters, with a bowed back, comes forth, and finally a 
moderately long fleshy tail is seen. It is very pig-like in the look of its skin, which 
is light colored and has a few hairs on it. Moreover, the snout is somewhat like 




THE CAPE ANT EATER. (E/O/ll Life.) 

that of a pig, but the mouth has a small opening only, and to make the difference 
between the animals decided, out comes a worm-shaped long tongue covered with 
mucus. The animal has to content itself with other fare than ants in England, but 
it seems to thrive, and as it walks slowly on the flat of its feet and hands to its 
food, they are seen to be armed with very powerful claws. 

In Southern Africa, whence this animal came, it is as rarely seen by ordinary 
observers as in England, for there it burrows into the earth with its claws, and 
makes an underground place to live in, and is nocturnal in its habits, sleeping 
bv day. 



518 THE EDENTATA. 



The orycteropus, which means digging up foot, is the deadly foe of the ants of 
all kinds, and especially of those which, like the white ants, live in large colonies 
and build nests. 

These nest-building ants abound in certain districts, but not in the region of 
the downs or karoos, nor where it is very dry and woody. They choose the 
country which is covered with a poor and so-called "sour" grass, and there they 
dig galleries in the ground, fetch earth from far and wide, and erect large rounded 
mounds of an elliptical figure, and often from three to seven feet in height. 
Apparently fond of company, the ants congregate, and these gigantic hills of theirs 
are often crowded together and occupy the plains as far as the eye can reach. 
The nests, or hills, are solidly built, and contain innumerable ants. This is the 
favorite resort of the orycteropus, and the insects are his sole food then. Wher- 
ever anthills are found, there is a good chance of finding one of these aard-varks, 
or innagus, or ant bears, as the Dutch and natives call them, leading a sort of 
mole like life. But he is not easy to catch, if the stories told be true. It is stated 
that the long, strong, flattened claws and short extremities, worked by their 
strong muscles, enable the animal to burrow in the soft soil as quickly as the 
hunters can dig, and that in a few minutes it will get out of the way. Moreover, 
its strength is sufficient to resist the efforts of two or three men to drag it out of 
the hole. But when fairly caught, the ant eater does not resist much. It has no 
front teeth or eye teeth to do any harm with, and it can be killed easily by a blow 
on the head. The ant eater runs slowly, and never moves far from the entrance 
of its burrow, being seen to do so only at nighttime. The burrows are often two 
feet in diameter, and three or four feet deep before they branch off. Night is the 
time for ant eating, for the active and industrious insects are then all at home and 
within their solid nests. Then the orycteropus sallies forth, finds a fresh nest, 
sprawls over it, and scratches a hole in its side, using his strong claws, and then 
introduces his long snout. Having satisfied himself that there is no danger at 
hand, the animal protrudes its long slimy tongue into the galleries and body of the 
nest, and it is at; once covered with enraged ants, which stick to it, and are finally 
returned with it into the mouth. This goes on over and over again, until the 
appetite is satisfied ; and apparently the diet is excellent, for the ant eater is gen- 
erally fat, and indeed, his hams are appreciated as a delicacy for their peculiar 
flavor, into which that of formic acid is said to enter. 

Although without an armor to its body, and provided with only a thick skin 
and bristles, the orycteropus has a great resemblance in many points of its anatomy 
to the armadillos of America. It is more closely allied to them than to the other 
Edentata. The tongue is long, narrow, and flat, and can be protruded considerably 
beyond the mouth, but not so far as those of the other insect eating Edentata; 
and in order to keep up a supply of thick mucus, the glands under and at its side r 
or the sub-maxillary, are very large and active in their functions. The stomach is 
moderately bulky and not simple, for the portion toward the right has very thick 



THE PANGOLINS. 



519 



muscular walls, and the 
rest is thin. The claws 
of the Orycteropus and 
the limbs are admirably- 
suited for its kind of life. 
There are five claws on 
the hind limbs and four 
on the front, and they are ^ 
long, slightly curved, flat, 
and scooped out below. 
The burrowing is facili- 
tated by the arrangement 
of the claws as regards 
length, and they diminish 
in size from within out- 
ward. There is a collar bone. The foot rests evenly on the ground, and not on 
the outside, and the body is supported either by the whole foot or by the palm 
surface of the claws. The fore arm can be rotated more or less, and the pronator 
quadratus muscle enables this necessary action to be carried out. 




TEMMINCK PANGOLIN. 



THE PANGOLINS, or Scaly Ant Eaters. An animal living in the same 
country, on the same kind of food, and having many of the habits of the Cape 
ant eater, especially as it belongs to the same order of the animal kingdom, might 
be expected to resemble it in shape and in most of the important parts of its con- 
struction. But the comparison between the ant eater, just described, and the 
scaly ant eater, shows that these animals have some very remarkable differences. 
The scaly ant eater is toothless, and covered with scales. They are small animals, 
of from two to nearly five feet in length, with long tails; and their body, limbs, 
and tail are covered with numerous large, somewhat angular, and sharp-edged 
scales, as with armor. The scales overlap each other like tiles, and the free part 
pointing backward is bluntly angular or rounded at the tip. When the animal is 
on its feet walking, they form a very close and impenetrable covering, being 
doubtless of great use to the creature, for it must trust entirely to its defences, 
having no weapon of offence. But when the scaly ant eater is alarmed or 
threatened with danger, or positively attacked, it rolls itself up like a ball, places 
the snout between the legs, and the tail underneath, and then sticks up its scales, 
offering their sharp edges to the enemy. There are several kinds of them, and 
one in particular was noticed by Dr. Smith, the African traveler, and was named 
after the zoologist Temminck. He observed that it was rarely seen, but that when 
it was discovered, instead of burrowing, it did not attempt to escape, but rolled 
itself up instantly in the shape of a ball, taking especial care of its head, which is 
the only part unarmored and likely to be injured. He states that ants form its 



520 THE EDEN T A TA. 



chief and favorite food, and that it secures them by extending its protectable 
tongue into holes which may exist in the habitations of those insects, or which it 
may itself form. The tongue having made an entry, it is soon covered with a 
multitude of insects, and as it is well lubricated with saliva, they are held fast, and 
when a full load is ready, the retracting muscles act on the tongue and the whole 
is carried back into the mouth, after which the ants are swallowed. The same 
traveler accounts for the scarcity of the scaly ant eaters, partly from the disinclination 
of the natives to discover them for strangers, and partly because they are environed 
with supernatural gifts in their eyes. They are carefully sought for by the natives, 
for their own use and supposed advantage, for they believe the animal to have 
some influence on cattle, and that certain treatment to which they are exposed 
produces this. Whenever a specimen is procured by the natives, it is submitted 
to fire in some cattle pen, apparently as a burnt offering for the increase of the 
health and fertility of all cattle which may henceforward enter the fold. " Here," 
writes Dr. Smith, " we have another cause for the obliteration of a species. 
Intolerance of their aggression has wrought up the shepherd or agriculturist to 
the destruction of some ; but in this case, a species is probably dying out under 
the influence of a superstition." 

They burrow even in rather hard ground, and feed at night time. It has been 
noticed that the mother sits upright when enticing the young to suckle; 

This Manis has rather a short head, and a wide body, and the tail is as long 
as the trunk: it is rather less in width near the body, and does not diminish much 
near the end. In a specimen which is twenty-five and one-half inches long, the 
back of the animal is eight inches across, and the tail at its root is five inches 
broad. The scales are large, and are in about eleven rows. The body is of a pale 
yellowish brown color, the scales being lightest in tint near their points, and they 
are often streaked with yellow. Where the scales are wanting the skin is dusky 
brown. The eyes are reddish brown, and the muzzle is black. The nails of the 
fore feet are bent under, so that the animal walks on their upper part. The scales 
are composed of hairs placed side by side and agglutinated together, and when 
first formed, and for some little time after, they are soft. They cover the upper 
part of the fore and hind extremities besides the body, and are striated. 

THE CREAT ANT BEAR. The habits of this animal, which has been 
named Great Ant Bear, have been described as follows: — "The habits of the 
Great Ant Bear are slothful and solitary ; the greater part of his life is consumed 
in sleeping, notwithstanding which he is never fat, and rarely even in good con- 
dition. When about to sleep he lies on one side, conceals his long snout in the 
fur of his breast, locks the hind and fore claws into one another, so as to cover 
the head and belly, and turns his long, bushy tail over the whole body in such a 
manner as to protect it from the too powerful rays of the sun. The female bears 
but a single young one at a birth, which attaches itself to her back, and is carried 



THE GREAT ANT BEAR. 521 



about with her wherever she goes, rarely quitting her, even for a year after it has 
acquired sufficient strength to walk and provide for itself. This unprolific consti- 
tution, and the tardy growth of the young, account for the comparative rarity of 
these animals, which are said to be seldom seen, even in their native regions. The 
female has only two mammae, situated on the breast, like those of monkeys, apes, 
and bats. In his natural state the ant bear lives exclusively upon ants, to procure 
which he opens their hills with his powerful crooked claws, and at the moment 
that the insects, according to their nature, flock from all quarters to defend their 
dwellings, draws over them his long, flexible tongue covered with glutinous saliva, 




to which they consequently adhere ; and so quickly does he repeat this operation, 
that we are assured he will thus exsert his tongue and draw it in again covered 
with insects twice in a second. He never actually introduces it into the holes or 
breaches which he makes in the hills themselves, but only draws it lightly over the 
swarms of insects which will issue forth, alarmed by his attack. It seems almost 
incredible, that so robust and powerful an animal can procure sufficient sustenance 
from ants alone ; but this circumstance has nothing strange in it to those who are 
acquainted with the tropical parts of America, and who have seen the enormous 
multitudes of these insects, which swarm in all parts of the country to that degree 
that their hills often almost touch one another for miles together. The same 
author informs us that domestic ant bears were occasionally kept by different 
persons in Paraguay, and that they had even been sent alive to Spain, being fed 



522 THE EDENTATA. 



upon bread and milk mixed with morsels of flesh minced very small. Like all 
animals which live upon insects, they are capable of sustaining a total deprivation 
of nourishment for an almost incredible time." 

The Great Ant Bear is found in all the warm and tropical parts of South 
America, from Colombia to Paraguay, and from the shores of the Atlantic to the 
foot of the Andes. His favorite resorts are the low, swampy savannahs, along the 
banks of rivers and stagnant ponds. He is found also frequenting the humid 
forests, but never climbing trees, as falsely reported by Buffon, on the authority of 
La Borde. His pace is slow, heavy, and hesitating; his head is carried low, as if 
he smelled the ground at every step, whilst his long, shaggy tail, drooping behind 
him, sweeps the ground on either side, and readily indicates his path to the hunter; 
though, when hard pressed, he increases his pace to a slow gallop, yet his greatest 
velocity never half equals the ordinary running of a man. So great is his 
stupidity, that those who encounter him in the woods or plains may drive him 
before them by merely pushing him with a stick, so long, at least, as he is not 
compelled to proceed beyond a moderate gallop ; but if pressed too hard, or 
urged to extremity, he turns obstinate, sits up on his hindquarters like a bear, and 
defends himself with his powerful claws. Like that animal his usual, and indeed, 
only mode of assault is by seizing his adversary with his fore paws, wrapping his 
arms around him, and endeavoring by this means to squeeze him to death. His. 
great strength and powerful muscles would easily enable him to accomplish his 
purpose in this respect, even against the largest animals of his native forests, were 
it but guided by ordinary intelligence, or accompanied with a common degree of 
activity. But in these qualities there are few animals, indeed, which do not 
surpass the ant bear, so that the different stories handed down by writers on 
natural history from one to another, and copied, without question, into the histo- 
ries and descriptions of this animal, may be regarded as pure fiction. 

THE TWO-TOED ANT EATER. These little animals appear at first sight 
to resemble sloths with tails, and their round heads, furry bodies, and two claws 
on the fore limb add to the resemblance. They are essentially arboreal animals 
also, but they have long and useful tails, and live on insects. They hunt their 
insect prey in the forests of Costa Rica, Honduras, and Brazil. Their two-clawed 
hands are remarkable, for the rudiments of the thumb and little finger are hidden 
beneath the skin, and the claws are placed on the first and second digits. The 
third digit has no claw. There are four claws on the feet, so that in this arrange- 
ment the animal is peculiar amongst the ant eaters. It is not larger than a com- 
mon squirrel. Its whole length, from the snout to the origin of the tail, is but six 
inches, and of the tail seven inches and a quarter. This is consequently rather larger 
than the body. It is thick at the root, and covered with short fur, but tapers sud- 
denly toward the point, where it is naked, and strongly prehensile. The muzzle is 
not so long in proportion as in the other two species. The tongue also is shorter, 



THE TWO -TO ED ANT EATER. 



523 



and has a flatter form. The mouth opens farther back in the jaws, and has a much 
larger gape, the eye being situated close to its posterior angle. The ears are 
short, rather drooping, and concealed among the long fur which covers the head 
and cheeks. The legs are short and stout, and the hair, very soft and fine to the 
touch, is three-quarters of r.n inch in length on the body, but much shorter on the 




THE TWO-TOED ANT EATER. 

head, legs and tail. The general color is that of straw, more or less tinged with 
maroon on the shoulders, and particularly along the median line of the back, 
which usually exhibits a deep line of this shade. The feet and tail are gray. 

The habits and manners of this little animal, hitherto very imperfectly known 
to naturalists, are well described by Von Sack: " I have had two little ant eaters, 
which were not larger than a squirrel. One was of a bright yellow color, with a 



524 THE EDEN T A TA. 



brown stripe on the back ; the other was a silvery gray, and darker on the back. 
The hair of each was very soft and silky, a little crisped. The head was small 
and round, the nose long, gradually bending downward to a point. It had no 
teeth, but a very long round tongue. The eyes were very small, round and black, 
the legs rather short. The fore feet had only two claws on each, the exterior 
being much larger and stronger than the interior, which exactly filled the curve 
or hollow of the large one. The hind feet had four claws of a moderate size. 
The tail was prehensile, longer than the body, thick at the base and tapering to 
the end, which, for some inches on the under side, was bare. This little animal is 
called in Surinam, ' Kissing-hand,' as the inhabitants pretend that it will never eat, 
at least when caught, but that it only licks its paws, in the same manner as the 
bear; that all trials to make it eat have proved in vain, and that it soon dies in 
confinement. When I got the first, I sent to the forest for a nest of ants, and 
during the interim I put into its cage some eggs, honey, milk and meat; but it 
refused to touch any of them. At length the ants' nest arrived, but the animal 
did not pay the slightest attention to it either. Bv the shape of its fore paws, 
which resemble nippers, and differ very much from those of all the other different 
species of ant eaters, I thought that this little creature might perhaps live on the 
nymphae of wasps, etc. I therefore brought it a wasp's nest, and then it pulled 
out, with its nippers, the nymphae from the nest, and began to eat them with the 
greatest eagerness, sitting in the posture of a squirrel. I showed this phenom- 
enon to many of the inhabitants, who all assured me that it was the first time they 
had ever known that species of animal to take any nourishment. The ants which 
I tried it with were the large white termites upon which fowls are fed here. 
As the natural history of this pretty little animal is not much knowli, I thought of 
trying if they would breed in a cage; but when 1 returned from my excursion into 
the country I found them both dead, perhaps occasioned by the trouble given to 
procure the wasps' nests for them, though they are here very plentiful; wherefore 
I can give no further description of them, than that they slept all the day long, 
curled together, and fastened by their prehensile tails to one of the perches of the 
cage. When touched they erected themselves on their hind legs, and struck with 
the fore paws at the object which disturbed them, like the hammer of a clock 
striking the bell, with both paws at the same time, and with a great deal of 
strength. They never attempted to run away, but were always ready for defence 
when attacked. As soon as evening came they awoke, and with the greatest 
activity walked on the wire of the cage, though they never jumped, nor did 1 
ever hear their voice." 

THE ARMADILLOS. These South American animals are more or less 
covered with a hard bony crust, separated into shields and bands, which are more 
or less movable, owing to the presence of special skin muscles. In the most per- 
fectly armored there are four distinct shields and a set of bands, a certain amount 



THE ARMADILLOS. 



525 




THE GREAT ARMADILLO. 

of motion being possible between their edges. Of the shields, one covers the head, 
another the back of the neck, a third protects the shoulders like a great cape, 
and the fourth arches over the rump like a half dome, and is, in some, attached 
by its deep structure, to the bones of the hip and haunch. The movable bands 
cover the back and loins, and are between the third and fourth shields. The 
tail may further be invested by incomplete bony rings, and scattered scales, and 
others are distributed over the limbs. This covering is, according to Professor 
Huxley, strictly comparable to part of the armor of the crocodile ; and the arma- 
dillos are the only mammals possessing such structure. The shields and bands 
are formed of many scales or scutes, which are ossifications of the skin; 
and they may be of many kinds of shape — four or many sided — being united by 
sutures, and they are incapable of separate motion. The shields and bands, 
however, vary much in their number, size, and perfectness in the different animals, 
which, being armored, the Spaniards called armadillos; and, indeed, the number 
of bands in the back and loin division varies in individuals of the same species. 
These bands cover the flanks, and, with the shields fore and aft, protect the 
limbs, which are often more or les-i hidden bv a growth of hair. The bands, more- 



526 THE EDENTATA. 



over, by being movable one on the other, enable the rest of the armor to accom- 
modate itself to the motions of the body, so that some roll themselves up as in a 
ball shape. There may be few or many bands present, and the extreme numbers 
are three and thirteen. The armadillos are of different sizes, and whilst the 
smallest may be only ten inches in length without the tail, the largest are more 
than three feet long. The head is long, and broad at the neck, the ears are usually 
long, the neck is short, the body is long, round and low, and the length of tail 
varies much in different kinds. Where the head shield joins that of the shoulders, 
there is a space for the movement of the short neck; but this is protected by a 
backward projection from the head shield. The throat, under parts and thighs 
are not protected by armor, except here and there by small plates in the skin, or 
by a granulated state of it, and they are naked or hairy. Even between the bands 
on the back there are often long hairs, and the tail fits into a kind of notch in the 
last shield of the body, and its plates are close in almost all armadillos, but not 
united, so that much more motion is given to it and to the body than might be 
expected by the muscles during their action beneath the more or less soldered 
bony skin. The flat top to the head, and the long muzzle, are useful to the arma- 
dillos in their burrowing, and this is assisted by short and strong iimbs armed with 
powerful claws. Some of the armadillos are even capable of running with some 
speed, and ihe little six-banded armadillo, or poyou, and the matico, are very 
restless and active in captivity. 

THE GREAT ARMADILLO. This is an inhabitant of Brazil, and of the 
northern parts of Paraguay and of Surinam, and is a dweller in the forest, being 
never found far out on the plains. The head is seven inches and a half long, and 
the ears, usually pointed and laid backward, are not quite two inches in length. 
The head and body, without the tail, measure three feet and some inches, whilst 
the thickly rooted but rapidly tapering tail is about a foot and a half in length. 
Hence the head is small for the body in this armadillo, and the forehead is pro- 
tuberant, and the face is very tubular and cylindrical looking. The shoulder and 
croup shields are not expanded and solid, but consist of nine and eighteen rows of 
plates respectively, and the intermediate part of the body has twelve or thirteen 
movable bands, each of which is made up of rectangular scales, or scutes, about 
half an inch square. The circumference of the root of the tail is upward of ten 
inches, and the organ is covered with plates, disposed in rings at the root, and not 
farther down, but forming spiral or crescent-shaped lines throughout the rest of its 
length. 

The Great Armadillo is a persevering and most rapid burrower, and the fore 
limb and hand are singularly modified for the purpose of enabling rapid digging 
and removal of the soil. The olecranon process of the ulna is enormous, and the 
muscle of the deep flexor or tendon of the claws is ossified and turned into a hand 
bone. The metacarpal bones of the thumb and first finger are small, and so are 



THE ARMADILLOS. 



527 



the slender digits, but that of the middle finger is irregularly rectangular, and is 
broader than long, and the digit which supports it is extraordinarily short, stout, 
strong, and broad. Its corresponding bones of the fourth finger are similarly 
formed, but are somewhat smaller, and the fifth finger is very small. The nail 
phalanx of the middle finger is large and strong, being curved outward, and having 
a large horny hood, or core, at its base, for the lodgment of the claw. There are 
five claws on the hands and feet, and the armadillo moves on the flat of its feet, 
being plantigrade. There is no doubt that, aided by these digging weapons, and 




THE BALL ARMADILLO. 

being of considerable stoutness, the animal makes long and deep burrows. It 
feeds on roots, fallen fruit, and insects, and there is a story that it seeks carrion, 
and it used to be said that the collectors of cinchona bark in the dense forests, 
when they lost a companion by death, were obliged to bury the body in a grave 
surrounded with a double row of stout planks, to prevent its being scratched up 
and devoured by the Great Armadillo. Planks must be scarce, however, in those 
localities, and difficult to carry; and probably there are other inhabitants of the 
woods besides the armadillos which would discover and drag out a corpse. To 
assist the scratching and digging, the soles of the feet are partly covered with 
flat scales. 



528 THE EDENTATA. 



THE BALL ARMADILLO. This is a small and very beautifully orna- 
mented armadillo, which has three free central bands and a short tail, with large 
fore and aft shields. It rolls itself up on the slightest alarm, so that the great 
shoulder and croup shields meet, the head and tail fitting in exactly, in front, so as 
to close up the body very safely. The little animal, which is rarely more than 
fifteen inches long, and has a tail a couple of inches in length, is found in Brazil, 
Paraguay, and Buenos Ayres, and its walking on the long, stout claws of the fore 
legs gives it a very curious and unsteady appearance. 

It is an active, sprightly, light-footed little thing, according to Dr. Murie, and 
is constantly on the move, going here and there with much vivacity. Poising 
itself on tiptoe, it trots backward and forward as if on some urgent errand. In 
captivity the food was raw meat, boiled eggs, and bread and milk. In the forest 
land, where it dwells along with its fellow-armored creatures, it has the advantage 
of being able to curl itself up, and to present no tangible part of its body to the 
host of mischievous monkeys of its locality. The other armadillos, when retiring 
to their holes, are often set upon by their lively quadrumanous neighbors, and are 
dragged out by the tail with great gusto ; but the little tolypeutes curls himself up 
and laughs at the disappointed monkeys, who can find nothing to pull at about 
him. 

The shoulder shield comes down like a flap, far in front, and the croup extends 
behind in the same way, and they and the bands have large scales, which are 
very pretty in shape and ornament. The shields are very stout, and so is the skel- 
eton within. The fore foot has three large clawed toes, on the tips of which the 
animal walks. The thumb of the fore extremity is to be seen in the skeleton, but it 
is not always visible in the skin, and it is very small and high up ; the index is long, 
and the claw also, and it is slightly bent, but sharp at the tip. The next claw is 
the largest and longest, and has a cutting edge at the back and outer part, and the 
point is sharp. The next digit is smaller. In the hind foot there are five toes, one 
being high up and rudimentary, and the second and third have broad, flat, curved, 
short nails, the third being the greatest. The fourth nail is smaller, and they are 
all placed more or less flatly on the ground. 

The shell of this armadillo is blackish brown, ana tne skin between the central 
bands is bald and smooth. There are nine back teeth on each side in both jaws, 
and there are none in front. The muscles which enable this armadillo to bring its 
tail and nose together and to form a ball shape, are not simply expansions of the 
common muscular tissue, which exists deeply in the skin in so man}' animals, but 
are special structures. The most important are in relation to the position of the 
head, neck, limbs, tail, and the shields and bands, when the body is about to be 
and while it is being rolled up ; and these roller-up muscles are so arranged as to 
permit of the large liver and other internal organs not suffering pressure during 
their natural or temporary displacement. On the other hand, the unrollers act 
when the body and bones are in the rolled-up condition. The muscles of the back 



THE PICHICIAGO. 



529 




THE PICHICIAGO. 

are very tendinous, and to a degree they unroll the animal, but this is also per- 
formed by muscles which are attached underneath the first movable band of 
armor, and to the front part of the spine of the blade bone. This will tend, when 
it contracts, to pull out the legs and protrude the fore part of the body, the center 
being still rigid. Another drawer-back of the blade bone assists in this action, and 
it is inserted into the front or chest shield. The rolling up is done by the action 
of muscles which draw the nose down, so as to make the long head at right angles 
to the neck. Then the fore legs and blade bones are drawn in and up. At the 
same time, the muscles which pull down the tail act on the hind shield, and draw 
it down and forward. The legs are pulled up, and then a great muscle, which is 
largely attached to the front and hind shields, and has a tendon like expansion in 
the middle of its course, beneath the movable bands, contracts and pulls front and 
stern together. The muscles of the loins, which in jumping animals bring the 
spine to a curve, do not act, and indeed are excessively small. The chief bend in 
the back is between the second and third lumbar vertebras. (Murie.) 



THE PICHICIAGO. This is an edentate animal, resembling the armadillos 
more than any others, and is about six inches in length. It has a conical shaped 
head, a large, full chest, short, clumsy, powerful fore limbs, with four great nails 
rising gradually one above the other, the external shortest and broadest, and the 
whole so arranged as to form a sharp cutting instrument, rather scooped, and 
very convenient for progression under ground. The back and croup are broad 
and high, and the tail is small. The hind legs are weak and short, the feet being 
long and narrow, and there is a well-defined heel. The foot is arched, the toes 
are separate, and the nails are strong. The whole surface of the body is covered 
with fine silk like hair, which covers over the limbs on to the palms. But the 
34 



530 



THE EDENTATA. 



most striking peculiarity is the long banded shell, which is loose as it were 
throughout, being attached to the back immediately above the spine by cellular 
tissue. It rests on two knobs on the frontal bones, and these are the great attach- 
ments of this important covering. There are twenty-four bands and no separate 
shields, and their consistence is somewhat more dense than leather of the same 
thickness. They are composed of scales or plates of geometrical form, and the 
bands are separated by skin. There is a notch in the last band for the tail, and the 
free inferior edges of the bands are everywhere fringed with silky hair. This 
elongated band structure is moved, to a certain extent, by two broad thin muscles, 
which are beneath it, on the back, and each of which divides, on the approaching 
shoulder, into two portions, one being attached to the blade bone, and the other to 
the occiput. 




%p££i£^ ~ 



CHAPTER XXI. 



ORDER XII. — MARSUPIALIA, MARSUPIAL OR POUCHED ANIMALS. 



HE great circumnavigator, Captain Cook, in the year A. D. 

1770, was on the coast of New South Wales repairing his 

ship, and a party of sailors were sent on land to procure 

food for the sick. They saw an animal whose description 

tempted Cook himself, and also Mr. Banks, to land and go 

in pursuit of it the next day. The animal was seen in 

company with others of its kind, and its short front limbs, 

great hind legs, and huge tail, and the tremendous hops it 

made in its fleet course, quite bore out the statements of 

the astonished crew. They had seen, for the first time, the 

great kangaroo in its wild condition and on its own ground. 

Soon afterward a specimen was shot, and notes were made about the creature, 

and some skins were sent over to Europe. The animal has now become familiar 

to the civilized world. 




THE GREAT KANGAROO. On looking at one of the great kangaroos in 
some menagerie or zoological garden, the first peculiarities that strike the eye are 
its small fore limbs, its very large and long hind ones, and the great and thick tail. 
The smallness of the head, which has rather long ears, and a long dusky brown 
muzzle, the length of the body, and the comfortable gray-brown, thick, shortish 
fur, are then noticed. But the principal fact which impresses all these things 
upon the visitor, is that the females may have a little kangaroo with its head poked 
out of a kind of pouch in the under part of the body. Sometimes the little one 
jumps out and gets in again if it is frightened,- and the old one moves, hops and 
jumps about with its portable nursery with the greatest ease. 

Sometimes the kangaroos are seen feeding, and then the awkwardness of 
their gait becomes evident, for the small lore legs and curious paws are on or 
■close to the ground, whilst the back part of the body is raised up by the long hind 
legs, and, as it were, balanced by the great tail. These hind legs seem to do 
nearly all the running, or rather jumping, both being used together; and the tail 
js of use in supporting the long body when the animal suddenly raises itself up 

531 



532 



THE MARSUPIAL/A. 







THE GREAT KANGAROO. 



straight, and squats on its 
hindquarters. The small 
fore legs then appear quite 
stunted, and the ears stick 
up, and the small head is 
held straight. But in slow 
walking the fore feet are 
placed on the ground, and 
the animal rests on them 
whilst it brings the long 
hindquarters forward and 
outside them. Evidently 
the senses of hearing and 
sight are very acute, but 
they are used to warn the 
animal of danger, rather 



{Male.) 

than to urge it to attack, for it is a feeder on herbs, leaves and grass, and often may 
be seen reclining and moving its jaws, as if it were chewing the cud after a fashion. 

When moving with great velocity the kangaroo depends upon the hind legs 
alone, bounding along with great ease over ten, fifteen or more feet at a jump. 
Its body is then carried almost, horizontally, and the tail is stuck out as if to 
balance it. ^^^ = ^^ _ _ 

If the short fore sr^**- 

limbs are examined, :Z_ - ^__ _ ± /~=?^zilL_ 

they will be found to 
be able to do a great 
deal in the \\ ay of hold- 
ing, clasping, and turn- 
ing things about, and 
they are used in pat- 
ting the little ones, 
and in embracing and 
cleaning them. The 
five digits, or fingers, 
have a very free move- 
ment, and the fore arm 
can turn and twist like 
that of the higher 
animals. But they and 
the fingers are often 
used for very different the great kangaroo. {Female) 





533 



534 



THE MARSUPIALIA. 



purposes, and they have, in the female, to open the curious pouch for the young- 
ones, and to place them there. There is an evident relation between the 
arrangement of the bones of the wrist and this necessary office or function. The 
marsupium, or pouch, is a kind of inbending of the skin of the lower part of the 
belly, and is moist and naked inside. In it, in the females, are the nipples of the 
mammary glands, and to these the very young kangaroos hang on for a long time 
before they see the outer world. They are put in there by the mother when they 
are just born, and when very small and not perfectly formed. They grow there, 
and, after a while, leave the nipple when they think fit. As this pouch, with its con- 
tents, would drag upon the mother, it is kept from doing so, more or less, by two 
bones which are found amongst the muscles of the lower part of the body, and 
which are attached to the front or pubic bones of the pelvis. They are called 
marsupial bones. They exist also in the males, but they have no open pouch, for 
it is, as it were, turned outward, and contains part of the reproductive organs. 

The head is long, and is remarkable for the long nose, and large, full eyes, 
with eyelashes, for the kangaroo is not nocturnal in his habits, like most of the 
marsupials. The upper lip is split, the end of the nose or muffle is naked or hairy 
according to the kind, and the brain case is small. The nostrils are at the side of 

the end of the muzzle, 
and are slit-like and 
oblique, and there are 
bristly " smellers " to 
the fleshy lips and 
chin. A slender 
tongue is sometimes 
seen for an instant 
whilst the kangaroo 
is feeding, and if the 
bones of the lower 
jaws be examined, 
the angle, or lower 
part of the back of 
the lower jaw will be 
found to be turned 
inward. 

THE COMMON 
TREE KANGA- 
ROO. This is an 
inhabitant of New 
Guinea, and instead 
of frequenting the 




THE COMMON TREE KANGAROO. 



THE COMMON TREE KANGAROO. 



535 



brush and scrub, which 
are not physical fea- 
tures found in the 
island, or the rocks, it 
lives in the forests, and 
is no mean but rather 
a good climber of trees. 
There is a kangaroo 
look about the animal, 
even when it is seated 
on a thick branch, but 
the fur is very different 
to that of its fellows 
of Australia. The fur 
looks coarse and harsh, 
and is not very unlike 
a bear. There is no 
soft under fur, but all 
the hairs are long and 
resemble the long ones 
of the kangaroo, and 
the ears are quite 
clothed with it. Then, 
as the animal glides the kangaroo rat. 

down the stem of a tree, the shortness of the hind legs becomes apparent. 
Moreover, the claws on the foot do not resemble those of the kangaroo. The 
feet arc stout, but rather short, and the toes are more equal in size than other 
kangaroos. The claw of the outer toe is often on a line with the middle of the 
longest one (the fourth), whilst the nails of the double inner toe extend slightly 
beyond its base. The nail of this large fourth toe is about an inch in length. The 
fore limbs are nearly as large as the hind ones, and are very strongly made, and so 
are the hands, the claw of the middle finger being three-quarters of an inch in length. 
It has a clumsy looking head, with a high muzzle and small lower jaw. The 
upper lip is straight. It has a large face and small ears, and the color of the fur 
is brown-black and yellow-brown. The tail is very long, tapers slightly, and is 
of considerable use in steadying the climber, and is carried very much after the 
fashion of the other kangaroos when the animal has come down from its tree 
and hops off to its retreat. A specimen in the Zoological Gardens of London 
has grizzled gray fur, which is whiter underneath the jaws and on the neck and 
limbs, and the ears are wide apart, and the powerful fore limbs end in five 
claws. The tail tapers very little. This is probably a second species called the 
brown tree kang-aroo. 




536 



THE MARSUPIALIA. 



THE KANGAROO RATS. These are also called potoroos, and are of 
small size, being about that of a hare or rabbit. They have a compact body, the 
neck being short, and the ears are rather rounded, so that their shape is unlike 
that of the great kangaroo, but it resembles that of the smaller kinds somewhat. 
They have a rat like shape, both hind feet like the kangaroos, a long tail, and 
peculiar teeth. The head is very like that of a rodent, and the incisor teeth in 
the upper jaw have the front ones the longest. The canine teeth exist in the 
upper jaw, and the pre-molar is large, and has numerous distinct vertical grooves 
on the outer and inner sides; and the front molars are the largest, the smallest 
being in the rear. The toes of the fore feet are unevenly developed ; the three 
central ones are large, and those at the side are small. The nails are solid, 
broadest above, and much compressed. The foot is long, and the fourth toe 
and nail are greatly developed. The fifth toe is next in size, and the small 
second and third are coupled together by skin, and form a projection with two 
small nails, which are useful in combing and scratching the fur. The first toe 
is absent. The rufous kangaroo rat inhabits New South Wales, and is very 
common. Its nest is made up of grasses, and is frequently placed under the 
shelter of a fallen tree, or at the foot of some low shrub. During the day the 
little animal lies curled up in its nest, but it occasionally reposes in a "seat" like 
the hare kangaroo, but it never sits in the open plains. On being pursued it 
jumps like a jerboa, with great swiftness for a short distance, and seeks shelter 

in hollow logs and holes. 
Its food consists of roots 
and grasses. Another 
is a native of Van Die- 
men's Land, and keeps 
to the open, sandy, or 
stony forest land, rather 
than to the thick and 
humid bushes. 

THE WOMBAT. 

On looking at a picture 
of a wombat, the out- 
side disinctions between 
it and all the kangaroos 
may be seen at a glance, 
and an examination of 
its anatomy affords still 
greater evidence of dif- 
ferences which, to a 
common wombat. certain extent, relate to 




THE KOALA. 537 



the fact that the animal now under consideration is a burrower and gnawer. 
About two to three feet in length, the wombat has only a small stump of a 
tail, a low body, small feet, and strong limbs, ending in broad extremities, 
well provided with claws. It has moderately long and coarse fur of a gray- 
brown color, and there is some white about the short ears, and the feet are black. 
It is usually a plump animal, with a bare black muzzle, and feet naked beneath, 
and covered with little tubercles of flesh. The claws are large, and those of the 
fore feet (five in number) are solid and but little curved, whilst the four on the 
hind feet are curved and concave beneath. It has long moustache hairs, and 
plenty of them. Sir Everard Home had one, and he found that its principal 
desire was to get into the ground, and to do this it worked with great skill and 
rapidity, covering itself with earth with surprising quickness. It was very quiet 
during the day, but was in constant motion during the night; was very sensible of 
cold ; ate all vegetables, and was perfectly fond of new hay, which it ate stalk by 
stalk, taking it into its mouth like a bear, in small bits at a time. It was not 
wanting in intelligence, and appeared attached to those to whom it was accus- 
tomed, and who were kind to it. When it saw them, it would put up its fore 
paws on their knees, and when taken up would sleep on the lap. It allowed 
children to pull and carry it about, and when it bit them it did not appear to do 
so in anger or with violence. When wild the wombat hides during the day, 
and quits its retreat at night to dig and get grass and roots. It is by no means an 
active animal, and shuffles along like a bear. The wombat has a slit-like, imper- 
fect marsupium, and the special peculiarities of its order, such as marsupial bones, 
the inflected lower jaw, and double uterus. On the hind foot the innermost or 
first toe is very small, nailless, and placed at right angles to the foot, and the 
second, third and fourth toes are joined by skin, and have larger claws than the 
small fifth toe. 

THE KOALA. The loftiest of the gum trees of the country from Moreton 
Bay to Port Philip, and even more widely than this, were often the familiar haunt 
of a small marsupial animal, not unlike a little bear, about two feet in length, and 
without a tail. It is a famous tree climber, and its stout body, small head, short 
limbs, and well developed feet, are all cased in an ash gray fur. It has moderate 
sized ears, which are hidden by the long hair of the head, and it has a short and 
nearly naked black muzzle. The eye is large, and without eyelashes. The natives 
climb up the trees after it, according to Mr. Gould, and with as much ease and 
expertness as a European would get up a long ladder, and having reached the 
branch, perhaps forty or fifty feet from the ground, they follow the animal to 
the extremity of the bough, and either kill it or take it alive. This animal is called 
the koala, and it feeds on the tender shoots of the blue gum in preference to those 
of any others, and it rests and feeds in the boughs. At night it descends and 
prowls about, scratching up the ground in search of some peculiar roots, and it 



538 THE MARSUPIALIA. 




seems to creep rather than to walk. When angry 
it utters a long, shrill yell, and assumes a fierce and 
menacing look. They are found in pairs, and the 
young soon learn to perch on the mother's shoul- 
ders. Mr. Gould says that, unlike most quad- 
rupeds, the koala does not flee upon the approach 
of man, and that it is very tenacious of life. 
Even when severely wounded it will not quit its 
hold upon the branch upon which it may be. 
The animal has a nice thick fur, which nearly 
the koala. hides the ears, and the pouch is large. A careful 

examination of the animal shows that it differs from the kangaroos and wombats. 
It is more like the latter than the former. The head is rather small and the face is 
short, the upper lip being cleft. The limbs are equal ; the fore feet have five well 
made toes with compressed and curved claws; the hind feet have five toes, of 
which the first or inner one is large, nailless, and at right angles to the rest, and 
opposable to them. The second and third toes are shorter than the other, and 
are united in a common skin, and they have nails. The fourth and fifth toes are 
curved and have compressed claws. The name phalangista is derived from this 
union by skin of the phalanges of the foot. The tail may be absent, or long, or 
more or less prehensile, but sometimes not. 

THE SQUIRREL FLYING PHALANCER. This little creature, called 
the sugar squirrel by the colonists, is very generally dispersed over the whole of 
New South Wales, where, in common with other Phalangers, it inhabits the 
magnificent gum trees. Mr. Gould states that it is nocturnal in its habits, and that 
it conceals itself during the day in the hollows of trees, where it early falls a prey 
to the natives, who capture it both for the sake of its flesh and skin, which latter, 
in some parts of the colony, they dispose of to the colonists, who occasionally 
apply it to the same purposes as those to which the fur of the chinchilla and other 
animals is applied in Europe. At night it becomes extremely active in its motions. 
It prefers those forests which adorn the more open and grassy portions of the 
country rather than the thick brush near the coast. By expanding the membrane 
attached to the sides of its body it has the power of performing enormous leaps. 
They have the power of changing their course to a certain extent when descend- 
ing, parachute-like, from a height. It is stated that a ship sailing off the coast had 
a squirrel petaurus on board which was permitted to roam at large. On one 
occasion it reached the mast-head, and as the sailor who was sent to bring it down 
approached, it made a spring from aloft to avoid him. At this moment the ship 
gave a lurch, which, if the original direction of the little creature's course had been 
continued, must have plunged it in the sea. All who witnessed the scene were in 
pain for its safety; but it suddenly appeared to check itself, and to so modify its 



BANDICOO T.— DOG-HEADED THYLA CIN US. 



539 



career that it alighted safely on deck. This kind is not more than eight or nine 
inches in length, and its bushy tail is as long as the body. The soft fur of the tail, 
like that of the body, is a delicate ashy gray. There is a long stripe of black fur 
from the naked tip of the nose to the root of the tail, and the cheeks are white 
with a black patch ; the flank membrane is edged with white, and this is the color 
of the underneath part of the body ; the ears are long, and of a brownish flesh 
color. 



THE BANDICOOT. This animal is 
common in many parts of Van Diemen's 
Land. It is a burrower, and lives principally 
upon roots, and it likes the bulbs which are 
introduced from the Cape and elsewhere 
into gardens. It is about sixteen inches long, 
and has a slender muzzle, moderate sized 
ears, and the under parts of the body are 
white, the rest being gray^and penciled with 
black and yellow, except behind, where it is 
blacker. There are four broadish white 
bands on this part. 




BANDICOOT 



THE DOC-HEADED THYLACINUS. This is a dog-like, slim, narrow 
muzzled animal, with clean and very short limbs, a foxy head, and a tail about 
half as long as the body, which in males is forty-five inches in length. It is about 
the size of a jackal, and the fur is short, but rather woolly and grayish brown, 
faintly suffused with yellow in color. The fur on the back is deep brown near the 
skin, and yellowish brown toward the tip. It has from twelve to fourteen black 
bands on the body, and the tail has long hairs at the tip only. The eyes are keen, 
large and full, and they are black, and have a nictitating membrane. The animal 
walks half on its toes, and half on its soles or palms, and thus is a semi-plantigrade, 
the body being brought nearer the ground than that of the wolf in running. 
There is a marsupial pouch, but the bones are mere cartilages. The dog-headed 
thylacinus, or the zebra wolf of the colonists of Van Diemen's Land, thus 
described, has often been taken for one of the carnivora, and certainly there are 
great resemblances between it and the dogs. 



THE BRUSH-TAILED PHASCOCALE. This genus includes many 
species of small weasel or rat-like marsupials. They are small, insectivorous, 
and climb shrubs and trees in pursuit of their prey. The largest known is about 
the size of a common rat. The brush-tailed kind inhabits New South Wales, 
South Australia, and Western Australia, and is a pretty little animal, having a 
long and soft fur, of a gray color above and white or yellow white under the 



540 



THE MARSUPIALIA. 




THE DOG-HEADED THYLACINUS. 

body. The eyes are encircled with black, and there is a pale spot above and 
below the eye, and the hairs are blackest along the middle of the head. The ear 
is rather large, and not furry. The tail is about equal to the body in length, 
or seven to nine inches, and there is a portion near its end of about two inches 
fn length, which is clothed with short, stiff hairs, and the rest has long and 
glossy hairs, sometimes an inch or two long. An insectivorous little creature, 
its teeth are modified to meet its diet, and they are less carnivorous than the other 
dasyurids. 

Another species, about six inches long, not including a tail of three inches — 
the freckled phascogale — lives in the Swan River district and at King George's 
Sound, being generally distributed over Western Australia. It has the fur 
freckled with black and white on the head and fore parts of the body. Mr. 
Gilbert found insect remains in its stomach, and he obtained a female specimen 




OPOSSUM AND YOUNG. 



541 



542 THE MARSUPIALIA. 



having- seven young attached. They were little more than half an inch in length, 
and quite blind and naked. Above the teats of the mother is a very small fold 
of skin, from which the long hairs of the under surface spread downward, and 
effectually cover and protect the young. This fold is the only approximation to 
a pouch which has been found in any species of this genus. The young are 
very tenacious of life. 

THE OPOSSUM FAMILY. The marsupial animals included in this family 
are not found in Australia or in Van Diemen's Land, or in any part of the natural 
history province to which those countries belong. They are numerous, however, 
and are now living on the American continent ; but formerly some inhabited 
Europe during that geological period which is called the Eocene. The opossums 
are very rat-like in form, the largest species being about the size of a large cat, 
but they have the snout more elongated ; and in some species in which the indi- 
viduals are large the body is proportionately stout, and on most there is a com- 
fortable fur, with short and long hair. The tail is almost always very long, nearly 
destitute of hairs, excepting at the root, and is covered with a scaly skin, there 
being a few scattered hairs. It is a useful organ, for the opossums hang by it, 
and it assists them in climbing and descending trees, and in holding on, when they 
are young, to their parent. The ears are rather large and round, the eyes 
are placed high up in the face, and the long muzzle. ends in a naked snout. The 
legs look short for the body. The feet are naked beneath ; there are five toes, 
and the great toe is more or less opposable to the foot, and acts like a grasping 
thumb. Each toe is furnished with moderate sized claws, excepting the inner toe 
of the hind foot, which is clawless. 

The opossums are active, sly, and very intelligent in certain things, and their 
food consists of insects, small reptiles, birds and eggs. Living for the most part 
in trees, they secrete themselves in the hollows of the branches and trunks during 
the daytime and sally forth in the night. They have a moderate sized caecum. 
It must be noticed that the great toe of the hind foot is well developed, has no 
nail, and enables the creature to grasp, and is thus very useful; and that they walk 
plantigrade. 

THE COMMON OPOSSUM. This is a large kind, and is about the size of 
a common cat, and its long, large, pointed head, ending in a naked snout, and 
having eyes encircled in dusky brown fur amongst the white hair and fur of the 
head, gives it a very cunning and thoughtful appearance. The ears are black. 
The tail is long and prehensile, the end being white and the rest black, and the 
legs and feet are brownish. It is a. great climber, and uses its tail almost as much 
as some of its monkey companions. Running along the branches, it will often 
suspend itself by its tail, and give a swing and let go, thus launching its body to a 
distance, and then it catches at the boughs with its feet and unclawed but prehensile 
hind toe thumb. In coming down trees it uses the tail to steady itself, and to 



THE LONG-SPINED ECHIDNA. 



543 



prevent too rapid a fall ; and in climbing, the ever ready tail prevents mishaps, 
should the clawed toes not grasp sufficiently. The natural food of this opossum 
is probably vegetarian, but it is a great birds' nester. It will eat roots and fruits 
but the early settlers found it very destructive to their poultry, for it catches the 
birds and sucks their blood, not eating the flesh; consequently, it has been much 
hunted, and as the fur and skin are sometimes used, the destruction of the 
oppossum has been great. It is a curious creature, and seems to have gained 
experience in its struggle with man, and as many stories are told about its clev- 




THE PORCUPINE ECHIDNA. 



erness as there are about Reynard the fox and the Indian jackal. It will sham 
death in the most persevering manner, and it is at the same time very tenacious of 
life. This is essentially a North American animal, and is found from Mexico to 
the Southern States inclusive. 

ORDER XIII.— MONOTREMATA. 

THE LONC-SPINED ECHIDNA. This creature greatly resembles a hedge- 
hog with a very long snout, at first sight, but a slight examination will show that it 
differs much from the insect eating and spiny little hystrix. The echidna is about 
a foot in length, and the upper part of its stout body is covered with strong spines, 



544 THE MONO TREM ATA. 



and the rest is hairy, the front of the head, and the long, slender, and tapering 
snout being naked. The legs are short and strong, and the five toes of the fore 
leg have large and strong claws. This is in order to permit the creature to bury 
itself in sand and soft earth quickly, and this operation is assisted by a broad and 
rounded nail in the inner toe of the hind foot and by large claws on the other toes, 
and especially by a long nail to the second toe. A very long and flexible tongue 
enables the creature to catch prey. There are no teeth. The skull, when the 
skin and flesh have been removed, has a very pear-like appearance. It is a great 
burrower, and manages to get out of the way of observers as soon as is possible, 
for working actively with its strong limbs and claws, it pokes its snout into the 
earth and soon gets out of view. Ants are its favorite food, and they are captured 
in the same way as by the great ant eaters belonging to the Edentata; for in both 
there is a long slimy tongue, which can be poked far out of the mouth into ants' 
nests. The saliva required to make the tongue sticky comes from large glands 
under the lower jaw from the ear on to the fore part of the chest. When the 
ants have collected on the sticky tongue it is taken into the mouth, and they are 
swallowed. The absence of teeth is made up by the presence of horny spines on 
the palate and tongue, which look backward, and these crush and direct the food 
to the throat. It is an apathetic and stupid animal, and usually tries to get out of 
the light, and it will lie and roll itselt up, but not so successfully as a hedgehog. 
One of the first which was seen was attacked by the dogs of two of the travelers, 
Bass and Flinders, whose names are so familiar from places having been named 
after them in Australia. The dogs did not come off victorious, for the new animal 
burrowed in the loose sand, but not head foremost. It sank itself directly down- 
ward, and left its prickly back just on a level with the surface. 

An echidna was watched, so that the manner in which it could use its tongue 
was observed. Ants could not be had, but a diet of chopped up eggs, liver and 
meat was readily received, and it was noticed that the tongue was used in the 
same manner as that of the chameleon, by simple protrusion and bringing in, and 
also as a mower moves his scythe, it being curved sideways, and the food swept 
into the mouth. The echidna is fond of water and milk, which are licked up by 
a rapid putting out and drawing in of the long tongue. 

THE DUCK-BILLED PLATYPUS. Like most of the other objects of nat- 
ural history found in Australia and the neighboring islands, this animal is very 
singular in its construction, nature and habits. It is of all animals that suckle 
their young the most like a bird, and it really deserves the title, from its external 
appearance, of half beast, half bird. As its shape and method of life are peculiar, 
it has received several names, such as the water mole, flat-footed, duck-billed 
platypus, the bird-beaked quadruped, and the paradoxical, bird-beaked animal. It 
is very fond of the water and also of burrowing in the ground, and of course, 
is admirably adapted for these pursuits. Hence its construction relates to them 



THE DUCK-BILLED PLATYPUS. 



545 



f§P::; : : - ; :1^P 





THE DUCK-BILLED PLATYPUS. 

to a certain extent, and also to that of the animals of which it was, as it were, a 
continuation in the scheme of nature. 

The ornithorhynchus anatinus has a rather flat body of about eighteen inches 
m length, and the head and snout greatly resemble those of a duck, whilst the tail 
is short, broad and flat, and resembles that of a small beaver, but is shorter. The 
feet are webbed and flat, and the greater part of the creature is covered with a 
short, dense fur of a dusky brown color, darker on the upper and paler on the 
under parts of the body. A slight examination of the habits of the animal will 
explain the necessity for observing it a little more closely. Mr. Bennett describes 
his first interview with one shortly after his arrival in Australia. He writes: " We 
soon came to a tranquil part of the river, such as the colonists call a ' pond,' on the 
surface of which numerous aquatic plants grew. It is in places of this description 
that the water moles are most commonly seen, seeking their food among the aquatic 
plants, whilst the steep and shaded banks afford them excellent situations for exca- 
vating their burrows. We remained stationary on the banks, waiting their appear- 
ance with some degree of impatience, and it was not long before my companion 
quietly directed my attention to one of these animals, paddling on the surface of 
the water, not far distant from the bank on which we were then standing. In such 
circumstances they may be readily recognized by their dark bodies, just seen level 
with the surface, above which the head is slightly raised, and by the circles made 



546 THE MONO TREMA TA. 



in the water round them by their paddling action. On 
seeing them, the spectator must remain perfectly 
stationary, as the slightest noise or movement of his 
body would cause their instant disappearance, so acute 
are they in sight or hearing, or perhaps both ; and they 
seldom appear when they have been frightened." 
On' ordinary occasions they do not remain more than 
a minute or two at a time on the surface of the water. 
A burrow of an ornithorhynchus, which Mr. Ben. 
nett opened, had its entrance on a steep part of a bank, 
situated about one foot from the water's edge, and con- 
cealed among the long grass and other plants. " This 
burrow ran up the bank in a serpentine course, 
approaching nearer the surface of the earth toward its 
termination, at which part the nest is situated. No 
nest had yet been made in the termination of the bur- 
row, for that appears to be formed about the time of 
bringing forth the young, and consists merely of dried 
grass, weeds, etc., strewed over the floor of this part of 
the habitation." The expanded termination measured 
one foot in length and six inches in breadth, and the 

FORE (A) AND HIND (B) FOOT ,11 ,1 r ., , . . r . td • j 

of the duck-lilled whole length of the burrow was twenty feet. Beside 
platypus the entrance before alluded to, it appears there is 

usually a second opening into the burrows below the surface of the water, com- 
municating with the interior, just within the upper aperture. A burrow subse- 
quently examined by Mr. Bennett terminated at a distance of thirty-five feet from 
the entrance ; and that gentleman stated that they have been found fifty feet in 
length. 

From the burrow first opened by Mr. Bennett a living female was taken, and 
placed in a cask, with grass, mud, water, etc., and in this situation it soon became 
tranquil, and apparently reconciled to its confinement. On his return home to 
Sydney, Mr. Bennett determined to indulge it with a bath; and with "this view, 
when he arrived in the vicinity of some ponds, he tied a long cord to its leg. 
" When placed on the bank, it soon found its way into the water, and traveled up 
the stream, apparently delighting in those places which most abounded in aquatic 
weeds. When diving in deep and clear water, its motions were distinctly seen ; it 
sank speedily to the bottom, swam there for a short distance, and then rose again 
to the surface. It appeared, however, to prefer keeping close to the bank, occa- 
sionally thrusting its beak into the mud, from whence it evidently procured food, 
as, on raising the head, after withdrawing the beak, the mandibles were seen in 
lateral motion, as is usual when the animal masticates. The motions of the man- 
dibles were similar to those of a duck under the same circumstances. After 




THE DUCK-BILLED PLATYPUS. 



547 







TEE DUCK-BILLED PLATYPUS. 

feeding, it would lie sometimes on the grass)' bank, and at others partly in and 
partly out of the water, combing and cleaning its coat with the claws of the hind 
feet. This process occupied a considerable time, and greatly improved its sleek 
and glossy appearance." 

The ornithorhynchus is captured by the natives when in its burrow. They 
first examine the neighborhood of the burrow, to ascertain by the presence of 
recent footmarks on the soil, whether it is inhabited, and if the examination proves 
satisfactory, they proceed to dig holes with pieces of sticks from the surface of the 



548 THE MONOTREMATA. 

ground into the burrow, at distances from each other, until they discover its ter- 
mination, when the Australians consider themselves exceedingly fortunate should 
they find the young, since they are regarded as a great delicacy. 

The young have been found in their nests by Mr. Bennett about one inch and 
seven-eighths in length, in the earl}- part of December, and near the end of the same 
month he found young water moles of ten inches in length. These latter were 
kept alive for nearly five weeks, and their habits whilst in captivity are described 
in detail in his paper, which is illustrated by some admirable figures, showing their 
various attitudes, etc. The young were allowed to run about the room ; but an 
old ornithorhynchus in the possession of our author was so restless, and damaged 
the walls of the room so much by her attempts at burrowing, that it was found 
necessary to confine her to the box. " During the day she would remain quiet, 
huddled up with her young ones ; but at night she became very restless, and eager 
to escape. The 'little ones were as frolicsome as puppies, and apparently as fond 
of play ; and many of their actions were not a little ludicrous. During the day 
they seemed to prefer a dark corner for repose, and generally resorted to the spot 
to which they had been accustomed, although they would change it on a sudden, 
apparently from mere caprice. They did not appear to like deep water, but en- 
joyed exceedingly a bath in shallow water, with a turf of grass placed in one 
corner of the pan ; they seldom remained longer than ten or fifteen minutes in the 
water at one time. Though apparently nocturnal, or at least preferring the cool 
and dusky evening to the glare and heat of noon, their movements in this respect 
were so irregular as to furnish no grounds for a definite conclusion. They slept 
much ; and it frequently happened that one slept whilst the other was running 
about; and this occurred at almost all periods of the day. They climbed with 
great readiness to the summit of a bookcase, and thus, by means of their strong 
cutaneous muscles and of their claws, mounting with much expedition to the top. 
Their food consisted of bread soaked in water, chopped eggs, and meat minced 
very snlall, and they did not seem to prefer milk to water." 

Mr. Foulerton states that the natives are seldom successful in catching the 
water moles alive, although in some places in the rivers and creeks of New 
England they are so numerous that from fifteen to eighteen have been shot in an 
afternoon. In the dark, rocky, shady rivers they may be seen at any time of the 
day, but in more open places seldom before sunset. He failed to see any young 
ones, and believes that they keep them concealed until near their maturity. They 
are very active in the water, and are more frequently under than above the 
surface. He never saw one leave the water, and states that they made poor 
progress on land. As a rule they are to be found in good fellowship with the 
Australian water rat. 

The young water moles are naked, and have a short beak with fleshy and 
smooth edges, and this conformation enables them to seize the space on the 



THE D UCK- BILLED PLA TYPUS. 549 

mother whence the milk comes, for there are no nipples. Their tongue is large 
and assists in the suckling also. 

The most curious feature in the ornithorhynchus is the snout in the form of a 
beak. This is flat and broadest in front, where it is rounded. It is hard, and is 
covered with a skin full of pores, and on either side this skin overlaps the sides to 
form a kind of fringe or flexible cheek, and this free membrane is carried round 
the front. Where this skin comes to the head, it forms a wide fold, which flaps 
over the front of the head and throat, and is a capital protection when the creature 
is grubbing in the wet banks or burrowing, and evidently protects the face and 
the eyes from injury. The nostrils are close to the extremity of the snout. In 
the lower jaw, or part of the beak-like snout, there are some ridges, which mark it 
crosswise from the mouth to the outside, and corresponding structures may be 
noticed in a duck, their use being to provide grooves or spaces through which 
water may pour out of the mouth when the creature is feeding on soft mud and 
wet substances. Inside the mouth there is a pouch in the cheek, one on either 
side, and this is to retain food. It has four teeth in the upper and four in the 
lower jaw, but they are horny and made up of tubes; the front ones are long and 
narrow, and the others are oblong and oval in form, with a hollow crown. More- 
over, the tongue, as in some reptiles, has horny teeth on it. The eyes of the 
creature are small and brown, and are situated close to the beak, and they look 
upward. The ear is hidden by the fur, but it is none the less sharp of hearing. 
As may be gleaned from the notice of its habits, the animal has great power of 
swimming but not much of running, although the limbs are short. The fore feet 
have five toes, nearly equal in length, the first being rather the shortest, and all 
have solid and rounded claws. The toes are webbed, and the fold of skin even 
extends in front of the claws when swimming is going on, but is folded back in 
digging. In the hind feet the web does not extend farther than the base of the 
claws, and there is a spur on the heel, which is movable and sharp. It is found on 
the adult males in perfection, and it may be useful as well as ornamental. On 
carefully examining the under and lower part of the body, the milk or mammary 
glands are to be seen, and there is no proper nipple; but when suckling, the swell- 
ing of the gland produces an eminence, which can be grasped by the wide, open, 
and soft beak of the young. It was, of course, thought at first that this very bird- 
like creature laid eggs, but it does not. The young are brought forth living. 



^^^ 



„ 



SJTSi-^il^. 



